When it comes to Jazz, Roy Haynes has earned a well-deserved spot in the hearts of many. His unique drumming style has not only inspired other drummers but also left an indelible mark on the genre. Throughout his career, he has recorded several albums and also worked with a number of big names including Charle Parker, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane.
As you would soon learn, Roy was just another little boy on the street of Roxbury who had nothing but a great passion for drumming and maybe that was just all he needed.
Here are 7 Lesser Known Facts about Roy Haynes
1. He is a Native of Boston
Roy Haynes was born to his parents on March 13, 1926, and he’s 98 years old at the moment. From the records, he was raised in the Roxbury section of Boston alongside his 3 siblings – Douglas Haynes, Vincent Haynes, and Micheal Haynes,
His father Gustavus Haynes worked for Standard Oil Company while his mother Edna Haynes was a deeply religious woman who discouraged listening to secular music in the house, especially on Sundays. Nonetheless, they encouraged his passion and also supported him in every way.
As for education, he attended high school and was part of the marching band but never graduated. He stated that he was thrown out of high school since his passion wouldn’t let him focus on school. Ray added that he would have gone back to school however, he was earning from drumming and knew that it was a career path he would love to pursue.
He later enrolled at the Berklee College of Music but dropped out after a year and joined the New England Conservatory.
2. Roy Haynes is a Self Taught Drummer
Roy developed an interest in drumming at a very young age as he was surrounded by a number of drummers on his street. It was this passion that made him dedicate his time to learning the art. According to him, he was practicing everywhere and looking out for new sounds and rhythms. Growing up, his father thought of him as a nervous child since he was always thinking of rhythms, and true to this Roy said he was practicing in his head. He was drumming on the dining table and even dishes.
He also recalls how he was pulled out of school for playing on the desk and his teacher would later send him to the principal office for disturbing the whole class. Yet, that didn’t stop him from drumming at any time. Aside from the drum, he also played violin.
3. He Didn’t Have a Bass Drum when he got his First Gig
Even though Roy has long captured the hearts of many through his sounds and rhythms, did you also know that he started off without a bass drum? The drummer hinted that when he started getting gigs, he had to play the cymbal with one stick and choke it and open it like a hi-hat does.
However, after a few months of working at a summer camp and saving up money, he bought his first bass drum, a 26-inch William F. Ludwig bass drum.
Read Also: Vince Lateano- 10 Things You Don’t Know About the Drummer
4. Roy Haynes Worked with a number of Big Names in Jazz
After Roy dropped out of school, his father introduced him to Herbert Wright where he started his first drum lessons. Thereafter, he joined a local team of musicians in 1942 and performed with the likes of Charlie Christian, Tom Brown, Sabby Lewis, and Pete Brown. Three years later, Roy traveled to New York alongside the bandleader, Luis Russell for the Savoy Ballroom.
He later got the opportunity to work with other big names such as Lester Young, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, Eric Dolphy, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Roy soon became one of the highly sought-after drummers in the industry and recorded his first album “Busman’s Holiday” in 1954. He later produced other albums and also collaborated with a number of musicians and bands.
5. He was Inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1999
Roy was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1999 and in 2004, he was inducted into the DownBeat magazine Hall of Fame.
Aside from this, he has also received several awards for his remarkable performances which include 3 Grammy awards for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group, Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group, and Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also won several DownBeat Critics Polls and DownBeat Readers Poll awards.
6. Roy Haynes was Married to Jesse Lee Nevel Haynes
Though a celebrity, Roy had managed to keep his lovelife away from the public. Nonetheless, we learned that he was once married to Jesse Lee Nevel Haynes. It’s unclear how the pair met and when their relationship blossomed. What is known however is that they got married sometime in the 50s and they were together until Lee’s death in 1979.
The union saw the birth of three children. – two sons and a daughter who are all grown. The eldest child of the family Graham Haynes was born on September 16, 1960, and he is a cornetist. The couple later welcomed Craig Holiday Haynes, (59) who is a drummer like his father, and Leslie Haynes Gilmore, a legal secretary.
7. What is His Net Worth?
Apparently, Roy’s wealth comes mostly from being a drummer. As stated already, he has recorded several albums and also collaborated with some of the most legendary figures in jazz. Even though he has never given clues on his earnings, Jukebugs estimates him at $5 million judging from his lifestyle.
Like his father, he is a lover of custom-made clothes and fine cars. He owns a 1974 Brickland, a 1990 custom El Dorado, a 1998 El Dorado, and a 2001 CL500 Mercedes Benz. Aside from this, he also owns a number of properties including a duplex in Hollis, Long Island,
