Jack deJohnette, influential jazz drummer, dies aged 83

Influential jazz drummer Jack deJohnette has died at the age of 83.

The drummer reportedly died on Sunday (October 26) in hospital in Kingston, New York, due to congestive heart failure, the New York Times confirmed.

DeJohnette’s family also took to social media to share the news, writing: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jack DeJohnette. He died peacefully in Kingston Hospital, NY. He was surrounded by his wife, family, and close friends. Jack was a NEA Jazz Master. His legacy will live on”.

Blue Note Records hailed deJohnette as “one of the all time greats”, while McCoy Tyner’s son called him “a force of power and an innovative master of jazz drumming as well as piano”.

Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta also called him a “titan and hero”, adding: “a unique, superbly creative and beautiful musical voice. This man was such a huge influence on all of us.” See more tributes to DeJohnette below:

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A post shared by Jack DeJohnette (@jackdejohnette_)

RIP to one of the all-time greats… Jack DeJohnette has passed away at age 83. The legendary drummer is pictured here at the September 24, 1965 recording session for Jackie McLean’s “Jacknife,” which marked his first appearance on a Blue Note record. pic.twitter.com/YeOP6Wtvys

— Blue Note Records (@bluenoterecords) October 27, 2025

Rest in peace Jack DeJohnette. A force of power and an innovative master of jazz drumming as well as piano. There’s not enough words or time to list your enormous body of work, as well as the many times you recorded with my dad on countless albums and concert tours. pic.twitter.com/JiEJVIQwXw

— McCoy Tyner (@RealMcCoyTyner) October 27, 2025

We just lost another titan and hero…a unique, superbly creative and beautiful musical voice.This man was such a huge influence on all of us. R.I.P. the MASTER Jack DeJohnette, whom I’m privileged to have even met. Photo from 2013 at the State Department. pic.twitter.com/rLqCvVIYvt

— Vinnie Colaiuta (@vinniecolaiuta) October 27, 2025

I have no idea what I could say about Jack Dejohnette, besides that he is one of the greatest musicians to ever live. Four by/with him in four modes: Fried, whimsical, heartbreaking, searching. Rest in peace, Jack. Thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/6kjs0PA5sm

— Connor, preferably Con (@hardlybjorking) October 27, 2025

DeJohnette was born in Chicago, 1941, in a mostly segregated neighbourhood. He was introduced to music aged five or six by studying piano with a local teacher, and was surrounded by the jazz records of Duke Ellington and Billie Holliday his uncle Roy Wood played in the house.

As Wood became the first Black news announcer on a white Chicago radio station, DeJohnette was able to access plenty of jazz records, and went on to sing doo-wop and play in dance bands. But DeJohnette wouldn’t get his start in drumming until his friend left his kit in his basement. Upon being expelled from high school for skipping classes, DeJohnette would take music more seriously, playing with a local quintet and solo keyboard gigs in bars.

Eventually, after spotting Sun Ra and His Arkestra rehearse at a venue, DeJohnette broke into the scene when he was asked to play for them. He went on to play for John Coltrane after Coltrane’s regular drummer was late for a set, which prompted the club owner to “let Jack DeJohnette play!”.

Moving to New York in the mid-1960s, DeJohnette was a seminal part of jazz bands with greats like Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis and Keith Jarrett, having also worked with Herbie Hancock, Alice Coltrane, and plenty more. He was part of Davis’ Bitches Brew ensemble, and would play with Davis regularly until 1971.

DeJohnette is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lydia, and their two daughters, Farah and Minya.

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