Max Roach R.I.P. - The Orange Mane

Hogan11 · 08-16-2007, 07:57 PM

The world lost one of it's all time greatest drummers today. Drums Unlimited was one of the first jazz albums I ever bought. So long Max

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Drummer Max Roach, who helped revolutionize jazz by creating the fast-paced bebop style along with players like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown, has died at age 83, Blue Note Records said on Thursday,

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Blue Note did not give a cause of death for Roach, who died in his sleep in New York on Wednesday.

Roach secured his spot in the jazz pantheon by redefining the role of jazz drums during the rise of bebop in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Before bebop, jazz was primarily swing music played in dance halls, and drummers served to keep time for the band, Blue Note spokesman Cem Kurosman said.

Roach changed that by shifting the time-keeping function to the cymbal, allowing the drums to play a more expressive and important role and, in the process, contributing to the shift of jazz from popular dance music to an art form that fans appreciated sitting in clubs, Kurosman said.

Roach also was a civil rights activist who brought politics into his art. In 1960 he created "We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite," a seven-part suite featuring vocalist Abbey Lincoln that addressed slavery and racism in America.

The quintet he co-founded with Clifford Brown in 1954 is considered one of the classic ensembles in jazz. After Brown's death in a car crash with bandmate Richie Powell in 1956, Roach led his own bands that included a who's who of jazz as associates. He also recorded with his daughter Maxine, a jazz violinist.

Roach played on many of bebop's seminal recordings, accompanying Parker, Gillespie, Miles Davis and pianists Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.

BizzyBone7 · 08-16-2007, 11:39 PM

Damn, he was one of my favorite drummers, next to Buddy Rich and up there with Neal Peart (different eras but nonetheless). RIP.

BizzyBone7 · 08-16-2007, 11:53 PM

Some of his most famous work, to me at least. Its hard to comprehend how hard this is to do and how much practice this takes by watching. He was really one of the greatest of all time and I am extremely sad to see him go.

Watchthemiddle · 08-17-2007, 12:51 AM

Not sure how many people have ever tried to play the drums...much less tap your pencil, foot, and other hand at the same time..but its tough.

Much love to Max!!!

L.A. BRONCOS FAN · 08-17-2007, 02:59 AM

Wow - that's a shame.

Max was one of a kind.

He will be missed.

08-16-2007, 07:57 PM	#1
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	Max Roach R.I.P. The world lost one of it's all time greatest drummers today. Drums Unlimited was one of the first jazz albums I ever bought. So long Max NEW YORK (Reuters) - Drummer Max Roach, who helped revolutionize jazz by creating the fast-paced bebop style along with players like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown, has died at age 83, Blue Note Records said on Thursday, ADVERTISEMENT Blue Note did not give a cause of death for Roach, who died in his sleep in New York on Wednesday. Roach secured his spot in the jazz pantheon by redefining the role of jazz drums during the rise of bebop in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Before bebop, jazz was primarily swing music played in dance halls, and drummers served to keep time for the band, Blue Note spokesman Cem Kurosman said. Roach changed that by shifting the time-keeping function to the cymbal, allowing the drums to play a more expressive and important role and, in the process, contributing to the shift of jazz from popular dance music to an art form that fans appreciated sitting in clubs, Kurosman said. Roach also was a civil rights activist who brought politics into his art. In 1960 he created "We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite," a seven-part suite featuring vocalist Abbey Lincoln that addressed slavery and racism in America. The quintet he co-founded with Clifford Brown in 1954 is considered one of the classic ensembles in jazz. After Brown's death in a car crash with bandmate Richie Powell in 1956, Roach led his own bands that included a who's who of jazz as associates. He also recorded with his daughter Maxine, a jazz violinist. Roach played on many of bebop's seminal recordings, accompanying Parker, Gillespie, Miles Davis and pianists Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.

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08-16-2007, 11:39 PM	#2
BizzyBone7 #27 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,045 Adopt-a-Bronco: Cody Lambert	Damn, he was one of my favorite drummers, next to Buddy Rich and up there with Neal Peart (different eras but nonetheless). RIP.

08-16-2007, 11:53 PM	#3
BizzyBone7 #27 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,045 Adopt-a-Bronco: Cody Lambert	Some of his most famous work, to me at least. Its hard to comprehend how hard this is to do and how much practice this takes by watching. He was really one of the greatest of all time and I am extremely sad to see him go.

08-17-2007, 12:51 AM	#4
Watchthemiddle Weasel Patrol Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: aurora, co Posts: 176	Not sure how many people have ever tried to play the drums...much less tap your pencil, foot, and other hand at the same time..but its tough. Much love to Max!!!

08-17-2007, 02:59 AM	#5
L.A. BRONCOS FAN Mo' holla fo' yo' dolla! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a bunker in an undisclosed location Posts: 52,694	Wow - that's a shame. Max was one of a kind. He will be missed.