Roy Haynes was one of the most influential drummers ever. His identifiable sound, vocabulary, sense of swing, musicality, innovation, and unbridled creativity permeated every bandstand and recording that he graced with his magical drumming. To see Roy Haynes was always special, he was a wonderful entertainer and the essence of cool. Roy drove sports cars, and in 1960 was named as one of America’s best dressed men. Haynes wore silk, cowboy hats, ascots, fancy leather boots, and fashionable sunglasses on stage. His love of cars and his sense of fashion mirrored his drumming and his personality. Flashy, original, outrageous yet comfortable, and without pretense. During his career he played on over 400 records, with every legend of jazz, and with every generation of jazz innovators. Photo By Lissa Wales Roy Haynes was born in 1925 in the Roxbury section of Boston, and took drum lessons early on from drummer Herbert […]

February 2025 Issue