Greatest Rhythm Sections of All-Time

[Reid]

Someone once said (can't remember who) that 30% of jazz reviews can be summed up in one phrase: "the rhythm section wasn't happening." That seemed to make sense based on my listening experience (in fact, the percentage may be higher).

Talk about some of your favorite rhythm sections of all-time, and why you like them so much.

One that hasn't gotten a lot of attention is the Corea/Holland/DeJohnette rhythm section for Miles. Man, I think they're just as good as the Hancock/Carter/Williams rhythm section.

I liked the power that DeJohnette brought as well as his combination of rock and jazz grooves. I like his synthesis of rock and jazz a little more than the way Williams did it. I also like the groove and melodic ability of Dave Holland. Finally, I really enjoy Corea's melodic sensibility, and the colors and textures he gets from the electric piano, particularly when he uses distortion.

[hornplayer]

one that lasted for many years (and only needs to be heard on cd to be justified) is Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins.

[Tanager]

Philly Joe Jones, Paul Chambers, and whoever was playing piano that day.

[Sergio Zamora]

Ornette's rhythm kings:

Higgins/Haden
Blackwell/Haden
Izenzon/Moffett

[Canuck Don]

Probably my fav. and from the past is The Three Sounds.Gene Harris piano,Andrew Simpkins bass,Bill Dowdy drums.
Tight group.Liked them and still put them on reg.
Liked Dave Bruebecks rhythm section and Oscar Petterson's also.

[Fred K]

Haden/Motian

[stonemonkts]

My choice for numero uno hands down is Hancock/Carter/Williams. I can gush about that section for hours (thankfully I won't do it here). Whatever they did and whenever they did it, to my ears, was the most amazing organic propulsive explosive dynamic....DAMN I can rave about them and I only wish I could be more articulate. My jaw still drops whenever I spin Miles Smiles, E.S.P., and Nefertiti. I hope I never lose my fascination with their music, because it is one of those special things each of us experiences at times with our favorites, whoever they may be. Miles and Wayne were like delicious icing for me..but I could have lived off of the rythym section alone.

Other choices would be:

Haden/Higgins especially on Shape Of Things To Come, and Change of the Century. The opening bars of Lonely Woman gives me chills.

Tyner/Garrison/Jones! I'll always remember the experience of hearing all 4 Cds in succession for the first time of the Village Vanguard sets (1961). I know Reggie Workman participated, as did Roy Haynes, but when the "classic quartet" rhythm section played it was nothing short of magic. Loved everything they did, and cherish the box set (Classic Quartet on Impulse).

Dave Holland/Barry Altchsul COTB!! Dortmund!! (trying to prevent endless rambling now)

Waldron/Workman/Cyrille My favorite show ever was seeing those 3 at the Blue Note a few years ago. The music they made was unbelievable...I caught Workman several times glancing at Andrew Cyrille and bursting out in joyous laughter (he didn't guffaw or anything, but he couldn't contain his own amazement!)

Matthew Shipp/William Parker/Susie Ibarra I'm thinking specifically of Godspellized and Go See The World. Well, I think they only recorded those 2 together with Ware (too lazy to check). I cite them because I believe at the time of the recordings they were creating very new music, groundbreaking IMHO.

Those are my personal faves at this time. Like anything else in this music, all subject to change.

[BeBop]

Count Basie, Freddie Greene, Jo Jones and Jaco Pastorius.
I mean Walter Page.

[Tom Storer]

Kenny Barron/Buster Williams/Ben Riley

Chick Corea/Dave Holland/Barry Altschul

Holland/DeJohnette with whoever

Shirley Horn/Charles Ables/Steve Williams (they functioned as a pure rhythm section at least once, on Carmen McRae's last album, "Dedicated to Sarah")

Duke Jordan/Tommy Potter/Max Roach (backing those two other guys)

[Armando]

Peacock/DeJohnette - in part for their ability to break away from the rhythm as well as they keep it together

[FredC]

What Bebop said doubled.

Second choice Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Bobby Durham.

[Jazzooo]

I guess we're only talking about drums, acoustic piano and acoustic bass?

Because if we are not, I would add to the great ones already listed Zawinul, Erskine and Pastorius; Steve Gadd, Eric Gale and Tony Levin; and Paul, John and Ringo.

[Nathaniel Catchpole]

Reynolds, before you get all excited, that's a different Tony Levin

[Pete C]

If I had to pick one I guess it would be Kelly, Chambers & Jones.

[walto]

I'm fond of Crispell/Dresser/Hemingway. Also Morris/Charles, Taylor/Silva/Cyrille, and Crispell/Leandre/Hauser

[Sergio Zamora]

Originally posted by walto
I'm fond of Crispell/Dresser/Hemingway. Also Morris/Charles, Taylor/Silva/Cyrille, and Crispell/Leandre/Hauser

Crispell/Dresser/Hemingway - yes, yes, yes.

Oh, and Byard/Davis/Dawson

[Mike Schwartz]

Let's not forget the original Nat Cole Trio,which has to be on any list form any era, and the first Basie bands with Papa Joe Jones and Freddy Greene if they haven't already been mentioned.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen
Daniel Humair and J.F.Jenny Clarke
Barre Phillips and Stu Martin
Miroslav Vitous and Eric Gravatt
Malachi Favors and Alvin Fielder
Fred Hopkins and Andrew Cyrille

[moneyp]

Rolf, Zoot and Animal

[Reid]

Hey Dennis,

Have you heard the album with Stu Martin, Barre Phillips and John Surman? I think it's called Trio. Anyway, the Penguin guys really like that one, and I was wondering what you thought of it.

[stevebop]

In a recent interview with record producer/Riverside Records founder Orrin Keepnews he told me that Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Philly Joe were his first call rhythm team. He used them on many many dates. He called Wynton the worlds best "comper." I can't disagree with him.

[graypencil]

Not to put a damper on the discussion here, but I'm having a strong sense of deja vu ..

Didn't we just hash all this out a couple months ago at the old site??

oh well ..whatever:

Here's what I think I said earlier:

Miles 50s #1 Garland /Chambers / Philly Joe

Miles 60s #3 Hancock / Carter / Williams

Evans #1 BE / Lafaro /Motian

Evans #last BE / Johnson / LaBarbera

Cannon Zawinul /Booker / McCurdy

and of course ..

Stuff ..Richard Tee/ Gadd /Gordon Edwards / Eric Gale /Cornell DuPre /Chris Parker

[gonzo]

jaco/erskine
henderson/dejohnette
henderson/foster
clarke/white

[Dennis Gonzalez]

"Dennis, Have you heard the album with Stu Martin, Barre Phillips and John Surman? I think it's called Trio. "

I never heard that particular album, but I've heard The Trio in many contexts, usually on compilation records...and almost always live. I tell you what, they were something! Barre Phillips has an album based on The Trio called Mountainscapes with added sidemen Dieter Feichtner on synths and John Abercrombie on one track. It is a beautiful record, ominous and celebratory at the same time. Stu Martin's untimely death shortly thereafter put an end to this trio, unfortunately.

[Gary Sisco]

Basie, Green, Page, Jones.

Nuff said.

[Root Doctor]

What Sisco said.

[Reid]

Thanks Dennis.

[Uli]

a great one of today

William Parker/Hamid Drake

[Tanager]

Motian/LaFaro should at least be mentioned.

Despite what some think of WM, I think *his* rhythm sections could play a little bit.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Mingus/ Richmond/ Byard

Mingus/ Richmond/ Pullen