Edward Joseph Blackwell (October 10, 1929 – October 7, 1992) was an American jazz drummer, best known known for his work with saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Blackwell first came to national attention as a member of Coleman's quartet around 1960, when he took over for Billy Higgins during a residency at the Five Spot Café in Manhattan. Blackwell became a pioneering free jazz drummer, fusing New Orleans and African rhythms with bebop. Blackwell later toured and recorded extensively with fellow Coleman veterans Don Cherry, Charlie Haden, and Dewey Redman, both individually and as the quartet Old and New Dreams. Blackwell grew up in a family rich with diverse indigenous musical tradition, as well as connections to prominent musicians and the recording industry in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. The music of “Dizzy” Gillespie and Charlie Parker, supplied by Blackwell's older brothers, fostered an early interest in jazz. The second line brass band music of New Orleans also greatly influenced Blackwell's drumming style. He has also credited his inspiration for playing the drums to his time growing up trying to mimic and match the sounds of his older sisters tap dancing. He would use pots and pans, and old trash cans until he finally received his first drum.

Blackwell began studying under Wilbur Hogan and learned to read music as well as the basics of drumming. This exposure coincided with much of the Black Nationalism movement taking hold in the United States throughout the 60s. Despite these complications, Blackwell went on to co-found Old and New Dreams with former bandmates Don Cherry and Charlie Haden, they were joined by Dewey Redman.

Death

On October 7, 1992, Blackwell died at the age of 62 years old due to his complications related to chronic kidney failure at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. He was survived by his wife, Frances Blackwell, and their three children.

Discography

As leader

  • 1993: What It Is? Ed Blackwell Project Vol. 1 (Enja)
  • 1994: What It Be Like? Ed Blackwell Project Vol. 2 (Enja)
  • 1996: Walls–Bridges (Black Saint)

With Old and New Dreams

  • Old and New Dreams (Black Saint, 1976)
  • Old and New Dreams (ECM, 1979)
  • Playing (ECM, 1980)
  • A Tribute to Blackwell (Black Saint, 1987)

As sideman

With Ray Anderson

  • Every One of Us (Gramavision)

With Bill Barron

  • Jazz Caper (Muse, 1978 [1982])

With Karl Berger

  • Karl Berger (ESP Disk)
  • Tune In (Milestone)
  • Just Play 1976 (Quark)
  • Transit w/ Dave Holland (Black Saint)
  • Crystal Fire (Quark)

With Jane Ira Bloom

  • Mighty Lights (Enja)

With David Bond

  • The Key of Life (Vineyard)

With Charles Brackeen

  • Rhythm X (Strata-East, 1973)

With Anthony Braxton

  • Six Compositions: Quartet (Antilles, 1982)

With Marion Brown

  • Vista (Impulse!, 1975)
  • Awofofora (Disco Mate)

With Ornette Coleman

  • This Is Our Music (Atlantic, 1960)
  • Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation (Atlantic, 1960)
  • Ornette! (Atlantic, 1961)
  • Ornette on Tenor (Atlantic, 1961)
  • Beauty Is a Rare Thing (Rhino/Atlantic)
  • The Art of the Improvisers (Atlantic)
  • Twins (Atlantic)
  • To Whom Who Keeps a Record (Atlantic)
  • Live in Milano 1968 (Jazz Up)
  • The Unprecedented Music of Ornette Coleman (Lotus Passport)
  • The Love Revolution (Gambit) – music previously issued on Live In Milano 1968 and The Unprecedented Music of Ornette Coleman
  • Friends and Neighbors: Live at Prince Street (Flying Dutchman)
  • Science Fiction (Columbia, 1971)
  • Broken Shadows (Columbia, 1971 [1982])
  • The Complete Science Fiction Sessions (Columbia, 1971–1972 [2000])
  • Live in Paris 1971 (Jazz Row)
  • The Belgrade Concert (Jazz Door)
  • European Concert (Unique Jazz)
  • Paris Concert (Trio)
  • Skies of America (Columbia)
  • Stating The Case (Jazz Anthology)

With Steve Coleman

  • Rhythm in Mind (RCA/Novus)

With Alice Coltrane

  • Carnegie Hall '71 (Hi Hat, 2018)
  • The Carnegie Hall Concert (Impulse!, 2024)

With Don Cherry

  • Complete Communion (Blue Note)
  • The Avant-Garde (with John Coltrane as co-leader)
  • Symphony for Improvisers (Blue Note)
  • Where is Brooklyn? (Blue Note)
  • Mu First Part (BYG Actuel, 1969)
  • Mu Second Part (BYG Actuel, 1970)
  • Relativity Suite (JCOA, 1973)
  • El Corazón (ECM, 1982)
  • Broken Shadows (Moon)
  • Relativity Suite (JCOA)
  • Tamma with Don Cherry and Ed Blackwell (Odin)
  • Multikuti (A&M, 1990)
  • Live at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, 1986 (BBC, 2002)

With Jayne Cortez

  • Everywhere Drums (Bola Press)

With Stanley Cowell

  • Regeneration (Strata East, 1976)

With Anthony Davis

  • Song for the Old World (India Navigation, 1978)

With Eric Dolphy

  • At the Five Spot, Vols 1 & 2
  • Memorial Album (Prestige)
  • Here and There (Prestige)
  • Dash One (Prestige)

With Dewey Redman

  • Tarik (BYG Actuel, 1969)
  • Red and Black in Willisau (Black Saint, 1980)
  • The Struggle Continues (ECM)

With Charlie Haden

  • The Montreal Tapes: with Don Cherry and Ed Blackwell (Verve, 1989 [1994])

With Albert Heath

  • Kawaida (O'Be)

With Clifford Jordan

  • Lee Morgan w/ Clifford Jordan Quintet-Live in Baltimore 1968 (Fresh Sound)
  • In the World (Strata-East, 1969 [1972])

With Joe Lovano

  • From the Soul (Blue Note)
  • Sounds of Joy (Enja)

With Jemeel Moondoc

  • Judy's Bounce (Soul Note, 1982)

With David Murray

  • Morning Song (Black Saint)
  • Ming's Samba (Portrait)
  • Death of a Sideman (DIW)

With Art Neville

  • What's Going On" (Specialty)
  • That Old Time Rock 'N' Roll" (Specialty)

With Yoko Ono

  • Plastic Ono Band (Apple)

With Hilton Ruiz

  • Cross Currents (Stash)

With Archie Shepp

  • Further Fire Music (Impulse!)
  • On This Night (GRP/Impulse!)
  • The Magic of Ju-Ju (Impulse!)

With Bob Stewart

  • Goin' Home (JMT, 1989)

With Mal Waldron

  • Breaking New Ground (Baybridge 1983)
  • Mal Waldron Plays Eric Satie (Baybridge, 1983)
  • You and the Night and the Music (Paddle Wheel, 1983)
  • The Git Go - Live at the Village Vanguard (Soul Note, 1986)
  • The Seagulls of Kristiansund (Soul Note, 1986)

With Wadada Leo Smith

  • The Blue Mountain's Sun Drummer (Kabell, 2010)

References

  • Ed Blackwell discography