Max Roach Percussionist Drummer Composer

Max Roach was a bob percussionist, drummer and composer who worked with many eminent jazz musicians. He not only led his own groups but also made a number of musical statements about the civil rights movement of African-Americans. He brought about a new found subtlety of expression to his instrument.

In the 1940s, Max Roachs most significant innovations were made when he along with jazz drummer, Kenny Clarke formed a new concept of musical time. Instead of playing the thudding bass drum, they played the beat-by-beat pulse of standard 4/4 time on the ride cymbal. The flexible, flowing rhythmic pattern helped soloists to play freely along with giving drummers the opportunity to insert dramatic accents on the snare drum, cymbal and other components of the trap set.

Max Roach performed in bands led by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins etc.He was considered as one of the first drummers to play in the bebop style. Along with bassist Charles Mingus, he co-founded Debut Records in 1952, which released the kit bass-and-drum free improvisation, Percussion Discussion. A quintet consisting of trumpeter Clifford Brown, saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell and bassist George Morrow was formed by him in 1954. It was a prime example of the hard bop style.

When Max Roach was invited to contribute to commemorations of the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, he composed, We Insist! – Freedom Now suite in 1960. His album Drums Unlimited proved that drums can be used as a solo instrument to play theme, variations and rhythmically cohesive phrases. The classic Money Jungle was one of his important records.

A percussion orchestra called M Boom was formed by him in the 1970s. Each member composed and performed on many percussion instruments. During the 1980s, Max Roach presented entire solo concerts and created memorable compositions in these concerts. Bay State, a Japanese label, released one of these concerts. He also undertook a number of duet recordings which were improvisation free and created with avant-garde musicians Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Archie Shepp, Abdullah Ibrahim and Connie Crothers. Unique musical ensembles were created by them.

In Newland Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Max Roach was born, according to records, on January 10, 1924. His mother was a gospel singer and so grew up in a musical home. MacArthur Foundation genius grant was given to him in 1988, which is cited as a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France. The French Grand Prix du Disque was awarded twice to him along with 8 honorary degrees. Apart from this he was elected to the International Percussive Art Societys Hall of Fame and the Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame. He died on August 16, 2007 in Manhattan. Wikipedia