The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘Wabash III’ by John Scofield, featuring Jack DeJohnette

Classical musician András Schiff once said, “Bach is the divine element in my life.” He’s a lucky man, Schiff, to have just one divine element! I have a number, of which very few are still alive. And one of them, Jack DeJohnette, passed away this week aged 83. For more than four decades, DeJohnette has been my favourite drummer – and a key part of my deeply loved experience of jazz. While feeling sad about his passing, I also spent most of my week listening to and revisiting his monumental contribution to contemporary jazz. That made me happy!

DeJohnette trained as a classical pianist and on several recordings as leader, he would move almost imperceptibly from the piano stool to the drum chair. His early years as a drummer kept some of the greats in time – saxophonists Charles Lloyd, Jackie McLean and Stan Getz, pianist Bill Evans, singer Abbey Lincoln.

And then Miles Davis heard DeJohnette and recruited him, recognising his capacity for propulsion and keen ear for improvisation. Jack became part of “Bitches Brew”-era Miles, which would define fusion and a new direction in jazz. While with Miles, DeJohnette also rekindled his relationship with Keith Jarrett, with whom he collaborated in the Standards Trio for more than 30 years.

As well as leading his own bands, Directions, New Directions, Special Edition and the Jack DeJohnette Group, DeJohnette’s melodic and rhythmic sensibility helped elevate hundreds of recordings by artists like Michael Brecker, Jan Garbarek, John Abercrombie, Ron Carter, Jan Hammer, Steve Swallow, John McLaughlin, John Patitucci, Pat Metheny, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Charlie Haden and many, many more.

Jack thought of himself as a “colourist” or “painter” when approaching the drums, using them in unusual ways. His kick-drum bombs and snare cracks played together were unique DeJohnette explosions, yet his cymbal touch could be so deft that his particular, dry “ping” was often more suggestive than rhythmic.

I listened to dozens of tracks featuring DeJohnette as leader, partner or side man this week. Choosing just one track to share today means excluding so many styles and eras, but I settled on Wabash lll, the opening track by guitarist John Scofield off his album Time On My Hands. Featuring tenor titan Joe Lovano, Charlie Haden on bass and DeJohnette on drums, the rhythm section reprised their outing on Pat Metheny’s 80/81.

There’s so much to listen to on this track. The opening guitar and tenor sharing the melody. Then Scofield starting to weave and chop, changing tone from clean-but-bent notes to an almost organ-like sound, which you hear best when Lovano starts his solo. Lovano himself takes a scorcher and while Haden holds it down, Jack swings like there’s no tomorrow; cymbal patter, drum fills, doubles, triplets and little rolls. It’s simple and superb.

Put on some headphones and listen to Jack embellish round the kit, his light touch while Haden solos and how his swing pushes the players and creates a foundation for the band to let loose, especially in the last couple of minutes. Hope you enjoy the song, the playing and of course the weekend.

I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. You’ll read it here on a Sunday. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on markgrosin@gmail.com.

Listen to Wabash lll on Spotify here and Apple Music here.

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