The book is coming along very well. This Elvin post 71, may be out of sync with previous post, but here it is.
Atlantic Center for the Arts
ACA was founded in 1977 by Doris Leeper , an internationally known sculptor , painter and visionary environmentalist. The complex sits on 69+ acres with preserved land. Comprised of six buildings connected to exhisting structures by raised walkways, it includes a library and studios for painting, sculpture, dance, music/recording and theatre.
The residency program was designed to bring together (internationally-acclaimed) mentoring artist from different disciplines with talented artist who are selected by the masters. ACA officially opened in1982 for the first residency with author James Dickey – sculptor Duane Hanson and composer David Del Tredici.
Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
In 1984 I was accepted into the residency at ACA to study with Elvin Jones. I was one of ten international drummers to be approved by audition and resume. The program was 3-weeks. Allan Ginsberg and Robert Frank were the other 2 Masters to mentor within their field.
Words cannot describe the experience of those 3-weeks to be in the presence of Elvin. The first time I heard him play was in our music cottage. I was sitting 3 feet away from his floor tom side. I watched as he played with mallets on the drumset. His white loafer drove the red wooden beater into the bass drum head like exploding bombs.
That was day one. I had private lessons with him as he heard me play and gave me tips on form, style, dynamics and listening. I heard his stories about playing with Monk, Trane, Duke, Miles and Bill Evans. He talked about the Detroit Jam Sessions where he would play for dozens of horn players taking chorus after chorus. He talked about the first time John Coltrane had McCoy and Jimmy Garrison drop out. It was Saxophone and Drums only. We listened to the Quartet Record from Paris. They played Cousin Mary. Elvin called John the Preacher as he was playing. Elvin started crying upon hearing the music.
Each day was like heaven. Not just hearing him play but his positive energy and sharing. I saw an individual that played drums but played music that he held to be sacred. When he sat behind the drumset, it was a spiritual experience.
There’s more but that sums it up, 3 weeks with Elvin Jones.