Roy Haynes , one of jazz’s most innovative drummers, has passed away at age 99. Haynes died in Nassau County, New York, following a brief illness, as confirmed by his daughter, Leslie Haynes-Gilmore, to The New York Times. His son, Craig Holiday Haynes, shared the news on Facebook, writing, “Thanks for all your hipness, Dad. R.I.P.”

Born in Boston on March 13, 1925, Haynes began his musical journey in 1942, carving a path as a largely self-taught drummer with a rare feel for rhythm. "I just knew I was a drummer," he once told Modern Drummer in 2004, recalling his early years. His father eventually encouraged him to take lessons, though Haynes’s natural talent needed little refinement. By the 1940s, he was performing with top jazz artists and went on to collaborate with legends like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis , establishing himself as one of jazz's most sought-after drummers.

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Over his remarkable career, Haynes recorded hundreds of tracks and forged a reputation as a drummer who could blend into any style, yet make his mark with a unique style. Among musicians, Haynes was revered and noted for a distinct sound that became his trademark in jazz’s vast sonic landscape.

In a notable moment in his career, Haynes turned down an offer to join Duke Ellington’s band, preferring instead to chart his own course as a bandleader. Haynes was known not only for his musicianship but also for his sense of style and love for fast cars. “Miles [Davis] and I used to race our cars through Central Park at night with our tops down. It was a wild, hip time,” he reminisced in an interview with Smithsonian magazine.

A two-time Grammy winner with an additional eight nominations, Roy Haynes has left an irreplacable mark on jazz and music as a whole. His rhythmic innovation and spirit of independence continue to inspire new generations of drummers and jazz enthusiasts worldwide.