Jack DeJohnette, one of the most influential jazz drummers of the last century, died on Sunday, October 26, at a hospital in Kingston, New York. He was 83.
His family said he died of congestive heart failure. News of his death was also shared on his official social media pages.
DeJohnette was widely respected for his work with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Charles Lloyd. He won several major awards during his career, including a Grammy.
Born in Chicago on August 9, 1942, DeJohnette was raised by his mother and grandmother, who encouraged his early love for music. He began playing piano at age 5, later discovering jazz through family members and clubs in Chicago. During high school, he played rock and doo-wop music before returning to jazz after being inspired by pianist Ahmad Jamal.
DeJohnette switched from piano to drums in his late teens after a friend left a drum set in his home. He practiced by playing along to famous jazz records, and in 1966 he moved to New York to pursue music professionally. That same year, he joined saxophonist Charles Lloyd’s quartet, which toured widely, even performing alongside rock bands such as Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead.
His major career breakthrough came in 1969 when Miles Davis invited him to join his band. DeJohnette played on Davis’ landmark album Bitches Brew in 1970 — a recording that helped define the jazz fusion movement.
Over the following decades, DeJohnette performed in several highly regarded groups, including the Standards Trio with Keith Jarrett and bassist Gary Peacock. He explored a range of musical styles throughout his life, from rock to meditative soundscapes. In 2006, he won a Grammy for his album Peace Time. He later returned to experimental jazz with the 2015 album Made in Chicago.
DeJohnette received many honors, including being named a Jazz Master by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts in 2012. In 2016, he released Return, a solo piano album — bringing his musical journey full circle.
Following the announcement of his death, fellow drummers and musicians from around the world shared tributes online. Many called him a “maestro” and praised his creativity, generosity and the lasting impact he left on jazz.
“He created magical space for musicians and pushed them to new places,” drummer Antonio Sanchez wrote. “Everyone knew his sound the moment you heard it.”
Jack DeJohnette is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lydia, and their two daughters, Farah and Minya.
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