Haynes Among Strangers and Old Friends
Roy Haynes, deep into his long career, sounds unhurried and alert in a trio that lets him play.
Encounters, released in 1990, is one of the many records Roy Haynes made under his own name late in a career that stretched back to the bebop era. The drummer leads a trio here with bassist Dave Holland and pianist Mark Isaacs, and the setting gives him room to do what he has always done best: keep time loose, push the band forward, and comp with a lot of wit.
The music is straightforward modern jazz rather than anything experimental. Holland's bass anchors the groove while Isaacs picks his way through the changes with a clean, lyrical touch. Haynes is the one who sets the tone, shifting his accents and dropping in small surprises that keep the trio on its toes. Nothing here is built to shock, and that is part of the appeal for a listener who likes hearing a veteran enjoy himself.
Placement matters. This is not the place to start with Haynes; the Blue Note and Impulse! sessions from earlier decades show more of his range and more of his influence on the music around him. Encounters is for listeners who already know his work and want another dependable, well-played trio date from a drummer still very much in form.
Who's playing
Where next?
More by Roy Haynes
Question and Answer 1990
Wanton Spirit 1994
Birds of a Feather: A Tribute to Charlie Parker 2001
Cracklin’ 1963
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
