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.