John Blackwell (R.I.P.): Mind Of Jia (R.I.P.) #johnblackwell #drummerworld #drumsolo

#johnblackwell #drummerworld #drumsolo

[BillRayDrums]

JB used to show up to my gig in Cardiff, CA in the late 1990s; he had just moved to California for a brief stay and was my neighbor, pretty much. He had the gig with Patti LaBelle and didn't have any drums and needed a kit. He called me up one day and said "I'm gonna go get a job at Toys R Us so I can make some $ to buy a kit". I said "man get over here and pick up a set, I've got three, so take my old Corder Drum Co. kit and bring it back when you don't need it anymore."

9 months go by and he finally calls me up and said he's bringing them back because he's moving. To Minneapolis, for obvious reasons.

JB was that cat who would drop your jaw on the floor, and always have something positive to say about your playing no matter how hard he melted your face. He made everyone feel gracious and welcome all the time.

I saw him shortly after his daughter had passed and it broke my heart to see how it affected him; he'd seemed to have blotted out the years prior to the accident. I chalked it up to "Before Jia" and "After Jia".

RIP my old friend.

[charlesfranklin]

May He and His Daughter Rest In Peace. The Drumming World Lost a Beautiful Person And a Marvelous Drummer. Rest in Paradise John.

[carydrum]

Unbelievable! One of the best drummers I've ever heard. So glad this was recorded and filmed!!!

[ER-meii]

Embarrassed to say I never knew of this cat but 7 minutes later and I can say I do. World class, straight up.

[charlesabboud]

absolutely ever single thing about that performance by John Blackwell
is sublime, and the other musicians are on fire, what a tight band for such complex music

[brad]

JB plays the most insane fills and is still in pocket, that’s a gift from God!

[esaaecha]

.... John Blackwell was truly given a gift from GOD to play the drums. Before the Lord Jesus called him to come home,
i'm glad i had the privilege to hear him
play. Rest in peace my dear brother.

[grantvr]

Besides the 'Like' button, is there a 'Gasp-for-Air' button?!!! Good lord, that was awesome!!!

[tromBoyer]

My road dog, my little brother. Only your body is gone, your spirit live with us always

[pedropenduko]

I was stop breathing for 7 mins.! 😂
What a solo. RIP JB!!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🫡🫡🫡

[jasonsmouse]

Saw him with Prince twice. Man, was he a beast.

[bobshortcut]

His musical genius continues to inspire us and will impact generations to come!

[sidjbel]

His timing is so amazing to the point where you'd think he's freestyling but if you listen closer you can hear that it's an arranged piece. I loved every bit of this!!!

[leonidesnicolascaliolio]

One of the best jazz drummer of the world

[alexandremello]

Monstrous player. Always crisp and powerful.

[corneliusjuwlewreh]

John is playing drums in Heaven for his Maker. Rest Well Legend Blackwell 🎉🎉🎉🕊🕊🕊🙏🙏🙏

[RolandDuke]

Man such a monster player, so sad RIP brother.

[fernandocaballerohn]

So sad he isn't with us anymore. Awesome drumming Mr. Blackwell, wherever you are.

[ronycabellon]

Rest in Peace 🙏🙏🙏 Man... You were amazing!

[erikdodos]

My all time favorite drummer to watch/listen to. Met him and Abe Laboriel Jr at NAMM one year and I was in shock to meet them both just walking around. I didn’t know what to say after the initial greeting. He continued the conversation and made me feel comfortable asking how my day was. Very humble. I left just awe struck like what just happened