Jack DeJohnette death: Jazz drummer who worked with Miles Davis dies aged 83

He worked with musicians including Alice Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Herbie Hancock

Jack DeJohnette has died at 83 (Oliver Abels/Wiki Commons)

Legendary jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette has died at 83.

The musician played on multiple iconic records and was known for his work with stars including Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins.

DeJohnette’s death was confirmed by record label ECM, which released many of his recordings. His personal assistant added that he died from congestive heart failure, The Guardian reported.

His management told the German Press Agency that he died Sunday, surrounded by his wife and close friends in Woodstock, New York.

DeJohnette, who was also a composer and pianist, was best known for his work on Davis’ fusion records. He contributed to works like Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, and On The Corner.

Jack DeJohnette was best known for his drumming on Miles Davis’ fusion records (Oliver Abels/Wiki Commons)

In 2009, he won the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for his record Peace Time. He won his second Grammy in 2022, taking home the Best Jazz Instrumental Award for his album Skyline. He was nominated for four other Grammys throughout his career.

DeJohnette was known for his dynamic percussion, thought to be credited in part to his decade studying classical piano as a child growing up in Chicago. He moved to New York City in 1966 and joined the Charles Lloyd quartet, receiving international recognition and building his reputation as a sought-after drummer before leaving the group two years later.

He first played with Davis’ live band in 1969, after the bandleader noticed his ability to combine modern jazz riffs with rock and roll rhythms. DeJohnette went on to contribute to multiple of Davis’ recordings and live albums.

Throughout the 1970s, DeJohnette formed multiple musical groups with a range of styles, including Directions, New Directions, and Compost. He worked with famous musicians such as Jack Gregg, Alex Foster, Lester Bowie, and Arthur Blythe.

A picture of Jack DeJohnette was shared to his Instagram two days before his death (Instagram/@jackdejohnette_)

After spending years as a bandleader, DeJohnette became one-third of the acclaimed Keith Jarrett trio, which became known for the group’s nearly telepathic group improvisation. DeJohnette, Jarrett, and Gary Peacock spent years embarking on world tours to perform jazz standards in recital halls.

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DeJohnette’s final major recording, Sound Travels, was released in 2012, featuring collaborations with artists including Bruce Hornsby and Esperanza Spalding. That same year, he was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship because his "significant lifetime contributions have helped to enrich jazz and further the growth of the art form.”

Two days before his death, DeJohnette’s final post on Instagram showed him using three phones at once and smiling, with the caption, “Jack looking good.”

Tributes to the legend poured in under the post, with one user commenting, “Jack, Maestro! Thank You so much for all the music, it has been such a pleasure to listen and to follow you all my life. An eternal hug.”

Another wrote, “Thank you for all the wonderful music. May your memory forever be a blessing.”