Jimi Hendrix and Jazz

Some may not realize that the last number Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock (before the encore of "Hey Joe"), was a short improvised instrumental that was very jazzy. It included some beautiful octaves and had a haunting melody.

Hendrix was moving more toward jazz toward the end (he died young in 1970), and even set up a jam session with Tony Williams, Miles Davis, and David Holland. Sadly, it never materialized. However, Jimi did play with jazz organist, Larry Young on "Electric Lady land." Some called Young, "the John Coltrane of the organ."

Further, there was always a jazz sense when Jimi played with Mitch Mitchell, who managed to swing while playing rock. Jimi once referred to Mitch as "my Elvin Jones."