Roy Haynes, the legendary jazz drummer known for his immense influence on the genre, has passed away at the age of 99. Haynes died in Nassau County, New York, after a brief illness, as confirmed by his daughter, Leslie Haynes-Gilmore, in a statement to The New York Times. His son, Craig Holiday Haynes, also shared the news on Facebook, posting a heartfelt tribute: “Thanks for all your hipness dad R.I.P.”
Born in Boston on March 13, 1925, Haynes began his drumming career in 1942, largely teaching himself the craft. Over the decades, he became one of jazz’s most respected figures, performing with a who’s who of jazz legends and leading his own bands. Haynes’ contributions to jazz have left an indelible mark on the music world.
Roy Haynes, known for his deep connection to the drums, always felt destined for the instrument. In a 2004 interview with Modern Drummer magazine, he shared, “I just knew I was a drummer,” recalling how, as a child, he would bang on anything he could find at home. Around the age of eight or nine, his father encouraged him to take formal drum lessons, setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Throughout his decades-long journey in jazz, Haynes contributed to hundreds of recordings and became widely regarded as one of the genre’s finest drummers. However, despite his expertise, he remained somewhat underappreciated by the general public, possibly due to the nature of his role in a field often dominated by frontmen.
One of Haynes’ defining moments came when he turned down an offer to join Duke Ellington’s legendary band as its drummer. While the opportunity would have been a major career boost, Haynes chose to focus on his own musical path. In a 2003 interview with Smithsonian magazine, he recalled how Ellington never let him forget the decision. “I’d run into Duke at parties or restaurants, and he would always joke about me not joining his band,” Haynes said, appreciating the playful reminder.
In addition to his musical talents, Haynes was known for his sharp fashion sense and love for fast cars. He once reminisced about racing through Central Park at night with Miles Davis in the 1950s, saying, “Miles and I used to race our cars through Central Park with our tops down. It was a wild, hip time.”
Over the course of his illustrious career, Haynes won two Grammy Awards and received eight more nominations, solidifying his legacy as one of jazz’s most revered drummers.