HE IS one of the great jazz drummers. Born in the Bronx in 1943, Barry Altschul grew up loving the music of the jazz percussionists who filled his life. “My teacher and mentor was Charli Persip,” he told me, “but I listened to all the drummers of the era that I could find: from Gene Krupa to Papa Jo Jones, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes and Elvin Jones.”

In the late 1960s he drummed with pianists Paul Bley and Chick Corea, and in 1972 he made the epochal album Conference of the Birds with Wolverhampton-born bassist Dave Holland and saxophonists Anthony Braxton and Sam Rivers.

Never stopping, his more recent bands have included the FAB Trio with bassist Joe Fonda and the late violin virtuoso Billy Bang, and the now-times OGJB Quartet with Fonda, alto saxophonist Oliver Lake and trumpeter Graham Haynes. Their new album, Ode to O (‘O’ being the late Ornette Coleman) made in 2019, is truly a scorcher.

I asked him what were his enduring memories of making Conference of the Birds. “I’m not sure,” he modestly mused, “it was just a record date. It was relaxed in the studio, we knew the music a bit and we just played. I’m proud that the music still holds up and it’s now considered a classic album.”

Ode to O includes compositions by Altschul dedicated to Ornette and Bang. “Both had a wonderful and very strong spirit which made me feel good every time we played together, or while just listening to or experiencing their music.”

Lake wrote Justice in 2019 during the last months of Trump and it resonates resistance, with Fonda and Altschul’s pounding rhythmic propulsion and the horns’ defiant soundscape. “Justice is something needed now, more than ever,” he says.

I asked Altschul about his long-time partnership with fellow New Yorker Fonda, and how they play together as if one musician is playing two instruments simultaneously. “It is the experience of playing together for many years and really listening to each other, respecting each other’s concepts — and to an initial chemistry.”

And what about playing beside the artistry of Lake and Haynes’s hornplay? “It’s easy. We trust each other’s musicality, listening closely to each other and spontaneously responding to each other’s energy.”

With his long reach back in time, what British musicians had he admired most over his musical lifetime? “Actually,” he replied, “I’ve been very aware of the English jazz scene for many years. There are many musicians who impressed me: drummers Phil Seamen and John Stevens, and saxophonists Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, John Surman and Evan Parker.”

Altschul is still very active, coming towards his eightieth year. “I’m playing live again in New York, and my trio with Joe and saxophonist Jon Irabagon will be starting a 14-day tour in April in Geneva.”

Still thriving. Still grooving.

Ode To O is released on TUM Records.