Max Roach, a founding father of modern jazz, died this morning in New York City. Beyond his stature as an drummer, Roach was an activist, a teacher and a restless innovator.Here is Variety’s obituary; here is the New York Times obituary.
And here are a few Max Roach recordings. Click the song titles to hear them on my Vox audio stash.
This version of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” comes from a legendary September 1962 session uniting Ellington and Roach and Charles Mingus. A remastered version of this album – “Money Jungle” – was released in 2002.
“Drums” is an avant-garde track from the 1955 album “The Charles Mingus Quintet + Max Roach.”
“Conversation” is a pyrotechnic 4-minute solo piece off of Roach’s 1958 album “Deeds, Not Words.”
R.I.P., Brother Max Roach.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. I've been on vacation and somewhat out of touch. I've turned on the Internet everyday and did not see this as the headline it should've been.
ReplyDeleteThe Max Roach/Abbey Lincoln/Oscar Brown/Coleman Hawkins colloboration "Driva Man" was featured on this year's Anti-Fourth of July concert/broadcast.
^ Hey DeAnge. In case you haven't checked out my Video Bar, this right here is a great live version of "Driva Man," with Clifford Jordan in the Coleman Hawkins slot. The simple power of Roach beating out that slave-driving rhythm for the last minute and a half... wow.
ReplyDelete