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Jeff Haynes
(September 2005 Issue)
Texture And Spirit Through his work with
jazz diva Cassandra Wilson, Jeff Haynes
has evolved into more than
"just" a percussionist. Stints with Pat Metheny, Peabo Bryson, Dionne
Farris, Harry Belafonte,
Lizz Wright, and others have left their mark
on Haynes. But his hand drum/drumkit hybrid has evolved over the course
of his
long musical relationship with Wilson, where, as kit drummers
have come and gone, Haynes has consistently been called on for
rhythmic
stimulation, support, and color. "I understand Cassandra's dynamic," he
insists. "I've worked with a lot of
vocalists, and you have to learn
their body movements, how they feel, how they work onstage, and when
they need the
dynamic to go down."
Haynes met Wilson in the
early '80s, soon after she'd moved to New York from New
Orleans. The
percussionist appears on eight of Wilson's CDs, beginning with 1991's After The Beginning Again
and continuing through 2003's Glamoured.
On tour, Wilson brings only an acoustic guitarist, a bassist,
and
Haynes. "I actually like that combination," he admits. "It means that I
am the pulse, and I really feel comfortable in that
chair. You can also
get more dynamic with that kind of situation, and you can use more
textures."
Haynes drives
the groove with his right hand on a djembe, adding
accents with his left foot on a kick drum. "With the djembe, it's
like
two different kinds of kicks," he explains. "The djembe has its own
sound and the kick drum has its own sound. When I
use the two together
for accents, it creates this kind of texturized low-end atmosphere that
works
well."
Haynes' upcoming solo CD will showcase the variety of music he's
played: African, Brazilian, Latin,
Cuban, straight-ahead jazz, and
smooth jazz. "I play from my heart and soul," he says. "I want to do
whatever is necessary
for the music. It's really a passionate feeling
when you get to a level of playing by not playing so much.
Sometimes
that's more difficult than playing a lot of notes. Don't think of
yourself, become one with the music, and
you'll have more to
contribute. Think of dynamics. That shows maturity
and
professionalism."
Robin Tolleson
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