The undisputed giant among post-bebop drummers is dead at 76. Jones, who was always an inspiration but rarely emulated (because no one could?), arguably turned the drums singlehandedly from part of the rhythm section to a major improvisational voice in the jazz ensemble, ever since the days when he ‘accompanied’ (rather than just ‘backing’) Coltrane in the ’60’s. Indeed, each of his hands and feet was more like an independent voice of its own. Jones is often cited as a motivation for rock drummers as well, but when you listen to all those interminable plodding drum solos, turn ’em off and go back to Coltrane and Jones. — New York Times