Video of the Day

One of the greatest quartets in jazz history, John Coletrane's Classic Quartet, featuring McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and of course Elvin Jones on drums. Of all the great jazz drummers of this time, Elvin Jones is my favorite because of the intensity with which he plays. Although at times it seems as though he is not playing in time or has lost the beat, if you pay close attention you will realize he has complete control. He plays with such emotion and passion that it can seem like madness at times. Watch Elvin and his four way independence in 6/8 on this video of the song Afro Blue:

Video of the Day

Check out this video of a tune entitled "Chank", performed by Scofield (guitar), Medeski (keys/piano), Martin (drums) and Wood (bass). Medeski, Martin and Wood, or MMW, as they are often known as, has been an avant-garde jazz trio since 1991. This tune is from Scofield's 1998 album A Go Go, on which MMW were the sidemen; since that album, they have put out a collaborative album entitled Out Louder, and played many concerts as a foursome. They typically don't write ornate or overly complicated compositions; nor do they play exceedingly uptempo or fast tunes; their sound is instead characterized by their mid-tempo, relaxed feeling, yet always really strongly grooving, funky-swing feel.