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Rolling Stones quotes: Charlie Watts on the Stones relationship with jazz (2001)
CHARLIE: BRINGING JAZZ INTO THE STONES Charlie Watts loved sneaking jazz into the Rolling Stones’ world. He’d casually suggest, “We need a tenor player,” and next thing you know, legends like Sonny Rollins are on the record. Even on tour, he’d bring in jazz greats like Joshua Redman for TV gigs. Charlie wasn’t shy about name-dropping—he preferred jazz drummers over rock ones, often pointing to Kenny Clarke or Sonny Greer instead. For him, jazz was the secret spice in the Stones’ mix.
“It does annoy me when people ignore jazz – Mick’ll say ‘We need a tenor player’ and I’ll say ‘Sonny Rollins’ – and he’s on our record next minute! And on the last tour we had Joshua Redman – we did a TV show with him – so in that I crusade a bit. I don’t mind dropping names – if someone asks me who’s a good drummer, I rarely mention rock drummers. I say ‘Kenny Clarke, Sonny Greer …’”
Charlie Watts Sets the Record Straight on Jazz and The Rolling Stones
Back in 2001, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts gave fans a glimpse into the musical soul of the band — and it wasn’t just rock and roll. In a refreshingly honest interview, Watts revealed his frustration with the notion that the Stones’ music is purely a product of rock culture. According to him, such a view is not only narrow but also erases the depth and diversity of their influences. Jazz, in particular, played a quiet but vital role in the band’s evolution. Watts, himself a lifelong jazz lover, found it maddening that the Stones’ jazz leanings often went unrecognized. While fans danced to the swagger of their hits, subtle jazz grooves and improvisational touches coursed beneath the surface. It was more than homage — it was part of their musical DNA.
Jazz: The Unseen Thread in the Stones’ Sound
Though the Rolling Stones are icons of rock, their sonic palette includes more than just blues riffs and rebellious swagger. Jazz’s influence is tucked into the details — the groove of a rhythm section, the unexpected chord changes, the looseness that lets songs breathe. Watts, with his crisp, restrained drumming, brought a jazz player’s finesse to even their grittiest tracks. The band’s openness to genre-blending allowed them to explore sophisticated arrangements and expressive playing. From the jazzy flair in Time Waits for No One to the loose swing in Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (and more) the Stones proved they weren’t boxed in by any one sound. Charlie Watts knew this — and wanted fans to know it too. Their music wasn’t just loud and raw; it was also, at times, quietly complex — thanks in no small part to jazz.
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