Roy Haynes at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Day 2

2012 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Day 2-2184799, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

The great Roy Haynes leading his Fountain of Youth Band this past Saturday at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. He is going to be 87 next month but plays with as much enthusiasm and vigor as if he was in his twenties.

A link to days of 52nd Street, Roy has played and recorded with about every significant jazz artist from Lester Young, Charlie Parker and Sarah Vaughan to Gary Burton, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Eric Dolphy, and John Coltrane.

Famous for his distinct style, 'snap, crackle and pop,' it was his second appearance in the Washington DC area in a few months, and this performance was perhaps even better than his one at the Kennedy Center, in the less staid atmosphere at this event.

Long may Roy Haynes continue to inspire and amaze us.