Was Max Roach a Slater

Subject: Was Max Roach a Slater?
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 05:36 AM

I went to a talk onmodern jazz the other night and somone described the drummer Max Roach as the king of the slaters. As far as i could make out this is a term which is widespread among drummers, and it means a drumming technique, but it's not one I've heard before.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Subject: RE: Was Max Roach a Slater
From: Peace
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 04:07 PM

I checked a glossary of jazz terminology and the word 'slater' does not appear, which leads me to think it's a newer term.

I could be wrong.

Subject: RE: Was Max Roach a Slater
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 06:57 AM

I got the impression that it was a derogoratory term, but why this guy should ahve applied it Max roach of all people I just do not know. Maybe I should have asked him.

Is there a jazz drummer in the house ?

Subject: RE: Was Max Roach a Slater
From: Stringsinger
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 09:20 AM

There is a Luke Slater from England who is noted for electronic techno-drumming.

It might be a recording term meaning "one take". You "slate" a recording from the booth.
This is just a wild guess.

There is a vocalist David Slater from Star Search who was arrested for theft.

I can't imagine how any of this would apply to Max Roach who was a superb
drummer with the Charlie Parker Quintet and other notable jazzers.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Was Max Roach a Slater
From: Stringsinger
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 09:29 AM

There's another vague possibility. "Slate" might mean to lay down a beat precisely in time.
Wildly thrashing about in the dark here.

Frank

Subject: RE: Was Max Roach a Slater
From: open mike
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 11:02 AM

maybe they meant he was a slacker?
no, this is not a jazz drummer site..

Subject: RE: Was Max Roach a Slater
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 11:32 AM

Never heard the term before, but mention of Max always has me reaching for Money Jungle.

For those who don't know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci7Q8d66_oI

Can anything be more beautiful?