Jack DeJohnette, Jazz Drummer Who Worked with Miles Davis, Dies Aged 83

Music Legendary jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette, best known for his work with Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins, has passed away at age 83.

Jack DeJohnette, the legendary jazz musician who played on multiple iconic records of the genre, passed away on Sunday of congestive heart failure. His personal assistant and his record label, ECM, which released many of his recordings, confirmed the news to the press. He was 83.

Known for his work with stars like Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins, DeJohnette was primarily a drummer, but also a composer and a pianist. He contributed to such Davis fusion records as Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, and On the Corner.

DeJohnette won the 2009 Grammy for Best New Age Album for his record, Peace Time, and won a second Grammy in 2022 for Best Jazz Instrumental for his collaborative album, Skyline. Throughout his career, DeJohnette was nominated for four other Grammy Awards.

His dynamic percussion, for which he was well known, was thought to be credited—at least in part—to his decade studying classical piano as a child growing up in Chicago.

In 1966, DeJohnette moved to New York City and joined the Charles Lloyd Quartet, building his reputation as a highly sought drummer and receiving international recognition. He left the group only two years later.

Miles Davis soon noticed his ability to combine modern jazz riffs with rock and roll rhythms, and DeJohnette first played with Davis’ live band in 1969. He would go on to contribute to multiple Davis records and live albums.

DeJohnette formed multiple musical groups with a range of styles throughout the 1970s. He also worked with famous musicians like Alex Foster, Arthur Blythe, Jack Gregg, and Lester Bowie.

He spent years as a bandleader before becoming one-third of the much-acclaimed Keith Jarrett Trio, known for the group’s seemingly telepathic group improvisations. The trio—DeJohnette, Jarrett, and Gary Peacock—embarked on numerous world tours, performing jazz standards in recital halls.

His final major recording, 2012’s Sound Travels, featured collaborations with artists like Bruce Hornsby and Esperanza Spalding. He was also awarded the 2012 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for his “significant lifetime contributions,” which have “helped to enrich jazz and further the growth of the art form.”