Maxwell Lemuel “Max” Roach is the featured drummer in BBR drummer week today and maybe the top drummer of all time. Straight outta the Great Dismal Swamp area of North Carolina, Max moved to Bed Stuy, Brooklyn as a child and showed ability on bugle. He switched to drums and by 18 was so good he subbed in for Duke Ellington’s drummer. Then he went on to contribute to the founding of be-bop while backing Bird, Monk, Coleman Hawkins and his key early musical partnership with tragic Clifford Brown. He was a civil rights warrior in the 60s and a pioneer of solo drum and duet performances. He made every piece of music on which he played better and will always be known as one of the best ever behind a drum kit. One of the highest peaks in BBR drum week.
April 30, 2017
The Browns - we’re here, where are you ? 