Over the course of a career that spanned 82 years, Roy Haynes established himself as one of the most influential and widely-recorded (and best-dressed!) drummers of all time – a true innovator across a wide variety of musical styles. Born March 13, 1925 and raised in Boston, Haynes went on to perform with a comprehensive list of the leading lights of jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and many more. It was during his tenure with Bud Powell that Roy Haynes collaborated with Charles Mingus, most notably on the album Inner Fires—The Genius of Bud Powell, recorded live on April 5, 1953 at Club Kavakos in Washington, DC. Of the drummer’s unique playing style, Mingus used to quip, "Roy Haynes doesn't always play the beat. He suggests the beat!" Haynes was also renowned for the longevity of his career, swinging behind the kit even in his final year at the age of 99 with his aptly named band, Fountain of Youth.

Photo 1: Roy Haynes and Charles Mingus (photo courtesy Mingus Archives)
Photo 2: Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Roy Haynes at the Open Door, NYC, Sept. 13, 1953 (Photo by Bob Parent)
Photo 3: Excerpt from Ted Panken-Roy Haynes interview, including Mingus’ comments on Roy Haynes’ playing style