Goodbye to Jack DeJohnette, iconic drummer of the jazz world

American drummer and composer Jack DeJohnette he died at the age of 83 from heart failure. Born in Chicago in 1942DeJohnette was among the most influential protagonists of the jazz scene from the 1960s onwards, capable of crossing genres and generations. After his debut as a pianist, he established himself as a versatile drummer alongside Miles Daviscontributing to seminal records such as “Bitches Brew” and “A Tribute to Jack Johnson”. Jazz Dispensary called him “a true rhythm wizard”, while Marvin “Smitty” Smith expressed deep sadness for the loss of a mentor and teacher

He then collaborated steadily with Keith Jarrett And Gary Peacock in the “Standards Trio” and led several groups under his own name under the label ECM Recordsincluding “Special Edition” and “New Directions”. Over the course of his career he won two Grammy Awards and in 2012 he received the title of NEA Jazz Mastersthe highest honor for a jazz musician in the United States. His style, characterized by a melodic and open approach to improvisation, has influenced entire generations of drummers. With the passing of Jack DeJohnette, jazz loses one of its most authoritative interpretersprotagonist of a season that redefined the role of the drums in improvised music.