Drummer Roy Haynes surprised the audience at the Gent Jazz Festival in Belgium last Friday by leading straightahead jazz purveyors the Freedom Band into a 45-minute spontaneous encore performance of James Brown’s ‘Sex Machine.’

Headlining on the third night of the 11-day festival, the Freedom Band – with Haynes joined by pianist Chick Corea, bassist Christian McBride and saxophonist Kenny Garrett – had already worked through an assured 90-minute set of acoustic bop-influenced jazz. Enjoying a standing ovation from the sizeable crowd, Haynes was clearly revelling in his dual role as both elder statesman and impish instigator. Buzzing with more energy than some performers half his age, the 85-year old legend’s cries of “get on up!” caused McBride to set up the funk classic’s famous piano hook. Garrett was quick to roll out a Maceo-style horn riff and within moments Haynes was back behind the kit.

As the monster-jam unfolded, other musicians playing the festival joined the stage for a piece of the action – including pianist Hiromi and drummer Ronald Bruner Jr (both due to headline the following night as part of Stanley Clarke’s band) as well as the trio that had been on-stage immediately before the Freedom Band: pianist Vijay Iyer, bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore. An extra layer of celebration was added by the fact that Gilmore, an extremely accomplished and in-demand young percussionist in his own right, was here sharing the drum kit with his own grandfather – none other than Roy Haynes himself.

Delighted punters were on their feet and dancing till well past midnight.

– Daniel Spicer