Biography
Maxwell Lemuel Roach was born on January 10, 1924, in Newland, North Carolina, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His early exposure to music came from his mother, a gospel singer, and he began playing drums at age ten. Roach's formal musical education took him to the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition. He became a pivotal figure in the bebop era, known for his innovative drumming style that emphasized the ride cymbal, allowing for faster tempos and greater rhythmic complexity. Roach collaborated with numerous jazz legends, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. Throughout his career, he continued to evolve, exploring various musical genres and becoming a fervent advocate for civil rights. In the 1970s, Roach founded the percussion ensemble M'Boom, further expanding his musical horizons. His legacy as one of the most influential drummers in jazz history remains unparalleled. Roach passed away on August 16, 2007, in New York City. His contributions to jazz have been recognized with numerous awards, including being inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1992.
Fun Facts
- Max Roach was known for his strong political activism, including a notable protest at a Miles Davis concert in 1961.
- He received a MacArthur Foundation 'genius' grant for his contributions to music.
- Roach taught at the Lenox School of Jazz and was a professor of music at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
- He played with his daughter Maxine Roach, a Grammy-nominated violist.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jo Jones - early inspiration for broken rhythms (None specified) [Early career]
- Kenny Clarke - influence on bebop drumming style (None specified) [Early career]
Key Collaborators
- Charlie Parker - landmark recordings (Savoy sessions) [1940s]
- Dizzy Gillespie - bebop pioneer (Multiple recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Miles Davis - collaborations and performances (Massey Hall concert) [1950s]
- Clifford Brown - co-led quintet (Brown-Roach Quintet) [Mid-1950s]
Artists Influenced
- Numerous modern jazz drummers - pioneering bebop drumming style (None specified) [Late 20th century onwards]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clifford Brown And Max Roach | 1954-12-01 | Album |
| Study In Brown | 1955-01-01 | Album |
| Saxophone Colossus | 1957-04 | Album |
| Late Night Tales: Floating Points | 2019-03-29 | Album |
| Brown And Roach Incorporated | 1954-01-01 | Album |
| Members Don't Get Weary | 1968 | Album |
| It's Time | 1962 | Album |
| Plays The Blues | 2025-09-07 | Album |
| We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite (Remastered) | 1960-01-12 | Album |
| Clifford Brown And Max Roach At Basin Street (Expanded Edition) | 1990-08-07 | Album |
| Drums Unlimited | 1966 | Album |
| Clifford Brown And Max Roach At Basin Street | 1956-03-03 | Album |
Top Tracks
- St. Thomas (Saxophone Colossus)
- St. Thomas (Saxophone Colossus)
- You Don't Know What Love Is - Rudy Van Gelder Rudy Van Gelder Remastered 2006 / Shared ISRC (Saxophone Colossus)
- You Don't Know What Love Is - Rudy Van Gelder Rudy Van Gelder Remastered 2006 / Shared ISRC (Saxophone Colossus)
- Embraceable You
- I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You (Brown And Roach Incorporated)
- Salt Peanuts
- Lonesome Lover (It's Time)
- Stompin' At The Savoy (Brown And Roach Incorporated)
- Equipoise (Members Don't Get Weary)
External Links
Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #american, #composer
References
Heard on WWOZ
Max Roach has been played 38 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.