Drummer Ron Jefferson was fixture of the postwar New York City bop landscape, collaborating with giants ranging from Lester Young to Coleman Hawkins. Born in the Big Apple on February 13, 1926, Jefferson begin his career as a tap dancer before turning to drums, touring and recording with a who's who of bebop greats that also included Charles Mingus, Freddie Redd, and Roy Eldridge. He also spent a number of years in support of Oscar Pettiford, and with fellow Pettiford alums Charlie Rouse and Julius Watkins formed the Jazz Modes in 1957. When the trio split two years later, Jefferson signed on with Les McCann before settling in Los Angeles. There he cut his first session as a leader, the Pacifica date Love Lifted Me, in 1962, in addition to playing behind Groove Holmes, Zoot Sims, Carmell Jones, and Joe Castro. Jefferson also toured with the Roland Kirk-led Jazz and People's Movement, and spent a number of years in Paris, drumming behind Hazel Scott and teaching music for the U.S. Embassy. In 1976, he also cut Vout Etes Swing! for the Catalyst label. Upon returning to New York, Jefferson hosted the cable TV series Miles Ahead with fellow drummer John Lewis. Despite a steady work schedule, he never attained the visibility or renown of many of his contemporaries, and after a brief illness died in Richmond, VA, on May 7, 2007. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
