Percussion Discussion

Max Roach was an amazing man. He played with Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Fab Five Freddy, and Neil Peart. He was one of the founding fathers of be-bop, one of the first jazz drummers to seriously explore hip-hop forms, one of the pioneers of solo percussion composition and improvisation in the jazz world, and one of the premier performers of free jazz. He was such an outspoken advocate of civil rights that he was blacklisted from recording for several years other than on his own label. His Freedom Now! suite still resonates today. He was a dedicated educator, constantly finding, supporting, and mentoring young musicians and encouraging them to find their unique voices.

One of my all-time favorite jazz recordings is 1962's Money Jungle, a trio recording featuring Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, and Roach. It's been held up as possibly the greatest jazz trio recording ever, and Roach is the linchpin of the recording, tying together Ellington's beautifully sparse piano with Mingus' more angular lines (as a side note, this record also shows how much of an influence Ellington was on Thelonius Monk, as it's one of the few recordings that really showcases Ellington as pianist).

Max Roach passed away last Wednesday, August 16, at the age of 83. The world is a greater place for his having been here.