Imitate, Assimilate, Innovate: Max Roach

Max Roach is probably in the top 5 list of most influential drummers of all time. He is without a doubt one of the most important drummers in history. He was a pioneer in the birth of bebop and cool jazz. He played with huge names that even people outside of jazz have heard -- Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and Duke Ellington. His biggest innovation came in the 40s when he switched his timekeeping from the thumping bass drum to the driving ride cymbal, which is of course standard jazz drumming today. This created a more flexible style and rhythmic feel for soloists to play over. Other than that, Max was one of the greatest soloists and his contributions to drummers' solo repertoire is massive. He also has a lengthy discography as a bandleader and formed the percussion group M'Boom in 1970 (with whom he made four records). If there was ever a true artist on the drumset, it was Max Roach. He died recently, in August 2007.

ARTISTS - Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington, Clark Terry, Coleman Hawkins, Bud Powell, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, J.J. Johnson, Thad Jones

What's on the CD:

1. What Is This Thing Called Love? – Clifford Brown & Max Roach
2. Sandu – Clifford Brown & Max Roach
3. Jordu – Clifford Brown & Max Roach
4. Joy Spring – Clifford Brown & Max Roach
5. Delilah – Clifford Brown & Max Roach
6. Tender Warriors – Max Roach
7. Money Jungle – Duke Ellington
8. Dr. Free-Zee – Max Roach Quintet
9. Humph – Thelonious Monk
10. Wee – Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, & Max Roach

Here's some albums to check out that show Max's genius and significance:

Brilliant Corners - Thelonious Monk

Birth of the Cool - Miles Davis

The Amazing Bud Powell - Bud Powell

Diz and Getz - Dizzy Gillespie & Stan Getz

Bird on 52nd Street - Charlie Parker

Records as a bandleader:

Jazz in 3/4 Time

Max Roach Plus 4

Rich vs. Roach (with Buddy Rich)

Again!

We Insist! - Freedom Now