For this writer one of the most enduring images of the bebop era is a photograph of Charlie Parker being accompanied by Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus and drummer Roy Haynes – a position the latter held between 1949 and 1952. Along with Kenny Clarke, Max Roach and Art Blakey, Roy Haynes was one of the original architects of modern drumming. Haynes’ forte was not as an aggressive power drummer but as a player who is precise in his role and hell-bent on swinging, whether it be accompanying the bop masters or, later, working with the likes of Dolphy or being on hand to dep for Elvin Jones in Coltrane’s classic quartet. In the last issue of Jazzwise my informed colleague Brian Priestley dealt with Out Of The Afternoon in his inimitable style, so of the remainder I’ll stick to the two trios. Once considered perhaps far too overpowering for his own good, here pianist Phineas Newborn is kept in check by Haynes’ thoughtful accompaniment while Paul Chambers proves to be his usual pillar of strength. A much more restrained player, Richard Wyands, appears to be a more comfortable partner for Haynes in a programme that allows the drummer to demonstrate his remarkable skills without ever giving the appearance of being at all flashy or self-centred (‘Con Alma’). An essential purchase for drummers both novice and long-in-the-tooth.