Thursday, August 16, 2007

Max Roach (1924-2007)

Dammit.

Bird. Diz. Bud Powell. Mingus. Clifford. Dinah Washington. Abby Lincoln. Ellington. M'Boom. Cecil Taylor. Shepp. Bill T. Jones. Fab Five Freddy. In a career that spanned sixty-five years, he made every one of these musicians, and hundreds more besides, and thousands of students, play above themselves.

I'll have more to say in a future "100 Greats" (on Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet), but today a short gassho will have to suffice.

Thanks Chief. You never knuckled under, never coasted, never sold out. Thank you for your contribution to the universe.

Salaam aleikum. Go with God.

No comments: