Roy Haynes

Documented by Drum Faster

"Snap Crackle" — the bebop drummer who broke up the ride pattern and made it groove anyway. Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Coltrane, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny across eight decades, on a small, high-tuned kit that speaks fast. Born 1925, died November 2024 at 99.

Read our full Roy Haynes feature →

2010 — The Fountain of Youth years

Leading a band of musicians sixty years his junior into his eighties, playing their music rather than a museum version of his own. A Yamaha artist by this point, with his own signature snare.

The 2010 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

Yamaha jazz kit small sizes, tuned high ⤷ who plays this

Yamaha Roy Haynes signature 14"x5.5" snare hand-hammered copper ⤷ who plays this

Zildjian Hi-hats ⤷ who plays this

Zildjian Ride ⤷ who plays this

Zildjian Roy Haynes Artist Series sticks super-long taper, oversized elongated bead — light, fast, and built for cymbals ⤷ who plays this

1962 — The bebop kit

Small sizes, tuned high, everything close — which is where the crackle comes from, because small drums respond faster. A WFL set (the Ludwig predecessor); the rack tom is 12" or 13" depending on which photograph you trust.

The 1962 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

WFL 20"x14" bass drum ⤷ who plays this

WFL rack tom 12" or 13" — sources differ ⤷ who plays this

WFL 16"x16" floor tom ⤷ who plays this

WFL 14"x5.5" snare ⤷ who plays this

Bebop piccolo snare one of several he used ⤷ who plays this

Zildjian Hi-hats ⤷ who plays this

Zildjian Ride thin and dry enough that a broken pattern still reads ⤷ who plays this

Zildjian Crash ⤷ who plays this

2010 — The Fountain of Youth years

1962 — The bebop kit

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