Clifford Jarvis Explained

Clifford Osbourne Jarvis[1] (August 26, 1941  - November 26, 1999) was an American hard bop and free jazz drummer, who in the 1980s moved to London, England, where he spent the remainder of his career.

Biography

Clifford Jarvis, the son of Malcom “Shorty” Jarvis was born in Boston, Massachusetts, United States,[2] where he studied at Berklee College of Music in the 1950s.[3]

Moving to New York City, he established himself in jazz between 1959 and 1966, by recording with bebop and hard-bop musicians including Randy Weston, Yusef Lateef,[1] Freddie Hubbard, Barry Harris,[1] Jackie McLean, John Patton, Chet Baker, Kenny Drew, Walter Davis, and Elmo Hope, and playing with Grant Green[1] and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

He worked and recorded with musicians associated with free jazz, including Sun Ra (from 1962 to 1976),[1] Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Simmons, Alice Coltrane, and Archie Shepp.

During the 1980s, Jarvis moved to England,[1] where he played with younger musicians including Courtney Pine. He also worked as a music educator at Chats Palace Arts Centre in London and Pyramid Arts Development in Dalston. Jarvis continued teaching until his death in 1999.[4]

Discography

As sideman

With Chet Baker

With Alice Coltrane

With Kenny Drew

With Curtis Fuller

With Barry Harris

With Elmo Hope

With Freddie Hubbard

With Jackie McLean

With Archie Shepp

With Sonny Simmons

With Jukka Syrenius Band

With Sun Ra

With John Patton

With Randy Weston

With Harry Beckett

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz. Colin Larkin. Guinness Publishing. 1992. First. 0-85112-580-8. 226.
  2. Ron Wynn, "Clifford Jarvis", AllMusic
  3. [John Fordham (jazz critic)]
  4. http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=944120547 "Incendiary drummer and great teacher"