Max Roach was born on 10-January-1924, 100 years ago today. I was surprised to read that he was 83, and yet he had been around as long as I can remember. They used to play his music and talk about him on KJAZ. He would turn up on television sometimes. He always looked really serious, with the glasses and the suits. He wasn't one of the musicians I wanted to be when I grew up (I never wanted to be a drummer), but he was always there.
He subbed in Duke Ellington's orchestra when he was 16. He was one of the creators of bebop. He played on "Birth of the Cool". He worked with Abbey Lincoln and Clifford Brown. He composed; he taught; he worked for Civil Rights; he led a good life.
He subbed in Duke Ellington's orchestra when he was 16. He was one of the creators of bebop. He played on "Birth of the Cool". He worked with Abbey Lincoln and Clifford Brown. He composed; he taught; he worked for Civil Rights; he led a good life.
Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach group "We insist!" 1964 Belgian TV
