Philly Joe Jones is an American jazz drummer who is most known for his work with the Miles Davis Quintet. Jones played with the who’s who of the bebop era after establishing himself in New York jazz scene as a house drummer for several clubs. Unhappy with the music in New York he moved back to work in his hometown Philadelphia. In 1955 he was hired by Miles Davis touring and recording with him until 1958. 1958 onward he can he heard as a sideman and as a leader for several of the greats of jazz music like Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper, and even John Coltrane. (source: Drummerworld)
Here is a great example of Philly Joe’s playing from the Miles Davis release ‘Round About Midnight. Through out each eight measures he plays a similar eight bar phrase but takes there is a slight variation on each solo. If you listen closely in each eight bar phrase there is a base to the rhythmic structure. Even though these solos can be repetitive, they are full of a bunch of signature Philly Joe Jones licks in each solo.
Click here to hear the recording this transcription is from.
Click the link below for a PDF of the solo above.
Philly Joe Jones Drum Solo From Ah-Leu-Cha.pdf
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