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Professional journalist members of the JJA Jazz Awards (JJA) made open nominations in a first-selection round; those who received the most nominations advanced to the finalists’ ballot, and JJA’s professional members voted on them to arrive at these honorees with Jack DeJohnette receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz.
JACK DeJOHNETTE – NEA Jazz Master, Drummer, Pianist, Composer
Photo by John Abbott
Nominees: Terri Lyne Carrington, George Coleman, John McLaughlin, Charles McPherson, Roscoe Mitchell
Announcement: HERE
About Jack:
Jazz drummer, pianist, and composer Jack DeJohnette is known for his work with musicians such as Charles Lloyd, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, John Abercrombie, Alice Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and John Scofield. Inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2007, DeJohnette has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for five others.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, DeJohnette began his musical career as a pianist, studying from age four and playing professionally by 14. At 13, he switched to drums and learned from local jazz drummer Bobby Miller Jr. His uncle, Roy Wood Sr., a Chicago disc jockey, was an early inspiration. DeJohnette played R&B, hard bop, and avant-garde music in Chicago, leading his own groups and performing with key figures like Richard Abrams and Roscoe Mitchell. In the early 1960s, he had the chance to play with John Coltrane’s quintet, marking an early entry into high-profile jazz.
In 1969, DeJohnette replaced Tony Williams in Miles Davis’s live band. Davis recognized DeJohnette’s ability to merge rock and jazz elements, leading to his significant role on the seminal album *Bitches Brew*. DeJohnette’s tenure with Davis resulted in landmark recordings and collaborations with musicians like John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, and Dave Holland. After leaving Davis’s group in 1971, he continued to work with Davis occasionally and collaborated extensively with other jazz greats.
DeJohnette’s solo career began with *The DeJohnette Complex* in 1968, and he released several albums on Milestone and Prestige labels before moving to ECM. He formed various groups, including Compost, the Gateway Trio, and Special Edition, which received critical acclaim and helped launch the careers of young musicians. Throughout the 1980s, he played with Keith Jarrett’s trio, which included bassist Gary Peacock, a collaboration that has lasted over 25 years. Jack DeJohnette’s innovative approach and versatile musicality have made him a pivotal figure in jazz history, continually pushing the boundaries of the genre.
