Jack DeJohnette: Legendary Jazz Drummer Dies at 83, Here's His Complete Profile

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Jack DeJohnette, the widely known American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

He passed away at the age of 83 at a hospital in Kingston, New York, near his Woodstock home.

His wife, Lydia, confirmed that the cause of death for the jazz maestro was congestive heart failure.

The sad news was officially announced on DeJohnette's personal social media accounts on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Jack DeJohnette was known as a bold and inventive drummer, crafting a unique vocabulary on the drum kit over his more than 60-year career.

He was a recipient of the NEA Jazz Master, the highest recognition for his significant contributions to the jazz genre.

Rest in peace, Jack DeJohnette.It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of the legendary drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette….Initially, his death was reported with confusion and lack of verification — rumours circulated, details were uncertain.… pic.twitter.com/vXTo9nGwPS

— Melodies & Masterpieces (@SVG__Collection) October 27, 2025

Born Jack DeJohnette Jr. on August 9, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, DeJohnette grew up in a family that deeply valued music.

He began studying classical piano privately at the age of four, then continued his education at the Chicago Conservatory of Music.

At the age of 13 or 14, his interest turned to drums, and he soon joined his high school concert band.

His uncle, Roy I. Wood Sr., a popular Chicago jazz DJ, was an early inspiration.

Early in his career in Chicago, DeJohnette led his own band and became known as a sought-after pianist and drummer.

He actively played R&B, hard bop, and avant-garde music, and was involved with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

In the early 1960s, he even played with John Coltrane and his quintet, before moving to New York City in 1966 and achieving international recognition as a member of the Charles Lloyd Quartet.

One of the most significant collaborations in Jack DeJohnette's career was with Miles Davis in 1969, where he replaced Tony Williams.

DeJohnette was the lead drummer on the groundbreaking "Bitches Brew" album, which changed the course of jazz, and contributed to other Davis albums such as "Live-Evil" and "Jack Johnson."

Miles Davis himself once stated, "Jack DeJohnette gave me a deep groove that I loved to play.

"Besides Miles Davis, DeJohnette was also a longtime member of the legendary Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette trio, known as the "Standards Trio," from 1983 to 2018.

He has also collaborated with many other prominent jazz figures such as Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Thelonious Monk.

DeJohnette is known for his broad and versatile playing style, able to adapt to a variety of modern idioms while maintaining his unique sound.

His melodic approach to drums and cymbals, along with his attention to the sound emanating from his drum kit, make his style of "multidirectional music" truly unique.

Throughout his career, Jack DeJohnette has received numerous awards and recognitions.

He won two Grammy Awards from six nominations, including Best New Age Album in 2009 and Best Jazz Instrumental Album in 2022 for "Skyline," a collaboration with Ron Carter and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

In 2012, DeJohnette was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the highest honor given by the National Endowment for the Arts, for his significant lifetime contributions to the jazz genre.

He was also inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

In addition, DeJohnette received the French Grand Prix du Disque and the Charles Cros award in 1979.

His albums frequently won "Album of the Year" in Downbeat readers' and critics' polls.

In 1991, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music, cementing his position as one of the world's most influential jazz icons.