Elvin Jones, Max Roach, and Art Blakey Drum Battle

Circa 1968

[Bfdasmith]

Just when I thought this can't get any better, Max Roach walked onstage. Just when I thought this can't get any better, Art Blakey walked onstage. Just when I thought this can't any better, they started playing together.
The crappy quality of this video actually helps capture the sense of history. Perfect!

[FelixWheatfield]

Elvin Jones was such a unique drummer. He would transition erratically between long, fluid, and legato sections and quiet sections with a lot of negative space, but for as erratic as it was, it was always musical. Elvin was a true storyteller who always kept you excited about what he was going to do next.

[joey_gallant]

I love watching Max Roach play. He almost looks like a chef preparing a meal.

[taocpa]

Notice to young drummers: they created more magic using 4 piece drum kits than many drummers do with big drum kits.

[bjhill]

I was fortunate to see Elvin on his 70th birthday show and Max Roach in Seattle. Class acts ...

[rodneygolden]

THIS WAS NOT A BATTLE. IT WAS A SUMMIT MEETING, PURE AND NOT SIMPLE!!!. SUPERB.

[cezmiyarimkaya]

Phenomenal artists and what a gem of a recording.

[yoguibruja]

All three have such a recognizable style that you could guess who is who with your eyes closed

[Albert-pv-]

i love how confident art blakey is. he doesnt even need to start heavy, he knows he's king

[Slickmickyoyo]

Man listen to how much Bonham was influenced by Blakey. So many early rock drummers had such a heavy jazz influence.

[celomasina]

We can see so much love and respect between them and for the art of drummung and jazz.

[JMoroccoMisterBoy]

I saw and listened in stunned silence to Mr. Art Blakey in the West Village in the Middle Seventies.
Tks. much.

[ryebread]

3 geniuses demonstrating their excellence. So much talent on that stage...

[danielschnee]

Elvin, Max, and Art taking everyone to school... best school ever. ❤

[TweedSuit]

All these guys are from the same era but have such different approaches. They utilise the same rudiments but have their own distinctive sound.

[davidlewis]

Oh the timing!!!
Oh the stamina!!!
Oh the power!!!

[justicekeyes]

Amazing to watch this!
Thank you for sharing this footage its awesome!
Takes me back to the 1970' village Gate as a young teenage watching Art Blakey & the Jazz
messengers! First Class Jazz & incredible drumming!
Hey what Jamakin' Art!

[fluffshepnetwork]

Of these 3 absolute giants, Max Roach is definitely my favorite, but it'd be really hard to say who won this drum battle. Each was remarkable in his own way.

[miguelbringas]

Those sounds are so organic. Beautiful

[angelbatdawid]

How do such wonders even exist in the universe!!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿