Max Roach 1924-2007

Posted on Sunday 19 August, 2007
Filed Under Obituaries

 


Roach%20Max.jpg

I was lucky enough a few years back to catch what must have been the last-ever British concert by Max Roach, the great jazz drummer who has died at the age of 83. This bloke played with ‘em all: Hawk, Diz, Duke, Getz and, of course, the classic Bird quintet.

The decidedly unatmospheric main auditorium at the Barbican Centre is probably my least favourite gig venue in the world, so it is a credit to his abilities – even at an advanced age – that he still managed to get the music across.

I was well aware that Roach was an anti-racist, and over the last few days, I’ve been told that he explicitly identified as a socialist. Long having treasured We Insist!, that shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

Unlike much politically-inspired jazz, this album [sleeve pictured left] still stands up 47 years after its release.

You can read more about Roach’s political activities – and watch some YouTube footage – over at Shiraz Socialist.


<<Go back

Comments

2 Responses to “Max Roach 1924-2007”

  1. Jim Denham
    on August 19th, 2007 at 20:36

    Thanks for the plug, Dave. Roach was a great man and a wonderful musician. As you say “We Insist!” is one of the few examples of politically-inspired jazz that stands the test of time. There is more good stuff about Roach (including an even better YouTube clip than the one I used) at:

    http://www.mnemosyne-blog.net

    “Rants and musings of an uppity woman of color”.

  2. Feeder of Felines
    on August 23rd, 2007 at 03:09

    Amongst those other blokes you forgot to mention Mingus. Cf. Money Jungle: Roach with Mingus and Ellington. Each of the three rather goes their own way a bit in the playing, but the results are cool anyway.