Legendary jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette dies aged 83
The jazz world is mourning the loss of Jack DeJohnette, an iconic drummer whose innovative style shaped modern jazz for decades. He passed away on Sunday at his home in Woodstock, New York, at the age of 83, with his wife and close friends by his side, his management confirmed.
- Art
- DPA
- Published Date: 05:35 | 27 October 2025
US jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette died on Sunday at the age of 83 in Woodstock, New York, in the company of his wife and close friends, his management confirmed to dpa.
DeJohnette was one of the most important jazz drummers of his generation. His genre-hopping discography includes work with stars such as John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Miles Davis.
From the 1970s onwards, he was the house drummer for the ECM label, and recorded several albums in their Munich studios, among them "Special Edition" and "New Directions."
Born on August 9, 1942 in Chicago, DeJohnette played the piano from the age of 4 before switching to the drums in high school. He later worked as a pianist and composer.
After studying music, his career began in New York in 1966. He played in Coltrane's jazz ensemble, then with Charles Lloyd's quartet, which also included the young pianist Keith Jarrett.
Together with Jarrett and bassist Gary Peacock, DeJohnette founded the Keith Jarrett Trio in the 1980s.
DeJohnette was one of the most important jazz drummers of his generation. His genre-hopping discography includes work with stars such as John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Miles Davis.
From the 1970s onwards, he was the house drummer for the ECM label, and recorded several albums in their Munich studios, among them "Special Edition" and "New Directions."
Born on August 9, 1942 in Chicago, DeJohnette played the piano from the age of 4 before switching to the drums in high school. He later worked as a pianist and composer.
After studying music, his career began in New York in 1966. He played in Coltrane's jazz ensemble, then with Charles Lloyd's quartet, which also included the young pianist Keith Jarrett.
Together with Jarrett and bassist Gary Peacock, DeJohnette founded the Keith Jarrett Trio in the 1980s.
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