Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)

Subject: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:16 PM

NEW YORK (AP) - Max Roach, a master percussionist whose rhythmic innovations and improvisations provided the dislocated beats that defined bebop jazz, has died after a long illness. He was 83. The self-taught musical prodigy died Wednesday night at an undisclosed hospital in Manhattan, said Cem Kurosman, spokesman for Blue Note Records, one of Roach's labels. No additional details were available, he said.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: GUEST,highlandman
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:39 PM

I just heard a feature on NPR about him a coupla weeks ago. Can't say I would have recognized his name otherwise. My loss, that. He had quite a resume.
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:50 PM

Every jazz afficionado in the world knows Max Roach. Charlie "Bird" Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Max Roach....the Holy Trinity of BeBop. Max was the last to go and he leaves a legacy of percussion and jazz that will continue to influence for generations to come.

Bless you Max.   Diz and the Bird will be happy to have you back.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:54 PM

HERE is a link to the Wikipedia entry which has some good info.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 05:21 PM

I don't like to toss around phrases like "the greatest drummer that ever lived" but there is short list of undisputable jazz greats, and he was one of them--they should cancel school, fly the flag at half staff for a month, and we should all wear black for the drummer that changed the world.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 05:49 PM

Max Roach at Wikipedia

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 06:00 PM

Say Ted, do ya' think we need two links to Wikipedia? ***LOL***

I'm glad we do agree on his importance to the jazzworld as I think he's one of the most important figures period.......drummer or otherwise. I still love the stuff with Clifford Brown which was equally pioneering.

HERE is a link to another site with a little more of the story of Max Roach.

You can hear some clips at Amazon for those interested.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: gnu
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 06:16 PM

RIP... and thanks, Max. Take it to the Max means even more, now, to many skinners.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 09:15 PM

I posted the link for*emphasis*;-)

Actually, and typically, I read Rapaire's first post, pasted the link, then tried to think of something to say, and got distracted--opened the thread again, read your posts, posted something, and then found the first thread, and, in an attempted to close it, sent it instead.

I meant to say, "Hey, Spaw, you forgot to mention Charles Mingus and Bud Powell!" But, of course, that's not a Trinity, then, is it?

I also thought, Jazz is the real American Traditional music--it provides the form and structure that underlies everything else, and that Max Roach took everything rhythmic that happened before, and used it to shape everything that came later--and you hear his influence in everything from Rockabilly to Bluegrass, to Hip Hop, and even in Dylan--

The sad thing is that a lot of people who should know who he is don't, and a lot that should have listened to him haven't--

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 04:55 AM

Time to get out "Jazz At Massey Hall" RIP Mr. Roach

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 07:05 AM

Surely that should be, Max Roach (Jazzman)?
Even though I was never a fan of Bebop, I did like some of his later stuff and in fact he was one of my favourite drummers. Money Jungle, which he made with Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, remains one of my favourite records. A sad day for jazz.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 01:32 PM

Max - may you rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 01:33 PM

Here's the Max Roach page at the site where my son and I go to learn about (and see and hear) fine drummers: drummerworld.com.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 03:21 PM

A bluesman he wasn't.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: M.Ted
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 04:12 PM

Well, insofar as Bebop brought a lot of blues into jazz, he was--

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: NormanD
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 06:53 PM

There is a park in Brixton (South London) called Max Roach Park. Named in honour of the great man. There was no connection I know of between Max and Lambeth although the Council did name (and rename) facilities to celebrate great Black lives. Or there was a jazzer on Lambeth Council.

A great loss. "Money Jungle" is a very underestimated work.


Oo bop sh-boom.

Norman

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: jimmyt
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 06:59 PM

one of the real greats. I remember some times back in the early 70s when I had the chance to meet and hang out with Jonah Jones, another fantastic bebopper and one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever met. These seemed to be something very humble about the old jazz men I have met that did not necessarily cross over to the young rockers that became the celebs a generation later. I am probably generalizing a bit, but it seemed to be the case.

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 08:41 PM

MAX ROACH (Jazz Giant/Innovator)
    This master took the drums and made them an improvisational instrument equal to other instruments in Jazz. He not only kept the beat, but made his drums "sing solos." The recordings with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie reveal his genius...His influence on Modern Drumming Techniques is immeasurable...

Thanks Max. Bless...And may you rest in peace...

bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 09:44 PM

Death does not alter or end the life or the personality of an individual, but only causes a change in its conditions. This is expressed in the concept of "ancestors," people who have died but who continue to "live" in the community...
-http://www.deathreference.com/A-Bi/African-Religions.html

**

Max Roach still lives through his music and through those persons he has taught and influenced and inspired.

Thank you, Max Roach, for making this world a better place!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dNpDQztqWQw&mode=related&search=

YouTube video Added: July 14, 2006; From: SteveWalrus
Legendary jazz drummer, Max Roach

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: GUEST,highlandman
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 11:49 PM

>Every jazz afficionado in the world knows Max Roach.

I must admit I've never been so much the jazz afficionado. As drummers go, I was always more in the Mel Taylor zone. But I have belatedly huge respect for the man regardless. RIP Max.
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Obit: Max Roach (Bluesman)
From: GUEST,Shepherdlass abroad
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 06:13 AM

Just heard the news on CNN - sad indeed. Not only was he a truly great and innovative drummer but he also put in great efforts to ensure that young players were encouraged to follow their musical ambitions. RIP.