A Celebration of Elvin Jones: Dear Elvin J.

Tony Moreno – Drums

Troy Roberts – Tenor Saxophone

Patrick Cornelius – Alto & Soprano Saxophones

Manuel Valera – Piano

Gene Perla – Bass

Mauricio Herrera – Congas

Elvin Jones is widely regarded as one of the most transformative figures in the history of jazz drumming — a musician whose volcanic energy, polyrhythmic complexity, and deeply human swing redefined what was possible behind a drum kit. His recordings with John Coltrane in the early 1960s changed the course of music, and his own work as a bandleader produced some of the most adventurous and emotionally powerful jazz of the post-bop era.

Tony Moreno's connection with Elvin began at age eleven, when his mother brought him to a club down the street where Elvin was performing with his trio featuring bassist Jimmy Garrison and saxophonist Joe Farrell. After the show, Elvin and his wife Keiko sat with the family, and the following week Elvin gifted the young Moreno a scratched-up set of Gretsch drums — the very drums he had played on John Coltrane's Live at Birdland and Crescent. That same week, Moreno began a seven-year period of study with Elvin, spending time at his home talking, listening to music, eating dinner, and watching classic Western films together. "Elvin was my role model, my mentor, and my closest friend," Moreno reflects.

For the Dear Elvin J. Project, Moreno selected ten compositions from Elvin's classic repertoire — drawn directly from the landmark Blue Note recording Genesis — and enlisted NYC arranger and composer Rich Shemaria to create new arrangements for this stellar ensemble. The result is a tribute that honors not just the music, but the spirit and humanity of one of jazz's most transformative figures.

This performance carries special historical weight: bassist Gene Perla is a veteran of Elvin Jones' own working bands and appears on the original Genesis recording itself — bringing a rare and direct living connection to that historic session to The Side Door stage. Joining him are tenor saxophonist Troy Roberts, alto and soprano saxophonist Patrick Cornelius, pianist Manuel Valera, and percussionist Mauricio Herrera — a group of musicians whose collective depth and artistry are more than equal to the music's demands.

The Side Door Jazz Club is a dedicated jazz listening room located inside the historic Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT. Tickets are reserved seating. Guests dining at the Old Lyme Inn prior to the show receive 10% off their dinner bill.