Damn. My favorite jazz drummer ever, besides Fish. Atleast he went peacefully and had accomplished many great things.
Jazz Drummer Max Roach Dies At 83
Max Roach
Legendary jazz drummer and composer Max Roach passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning (August 16) at age 83.
Roach was one of the most influential be-bop jazz drummers to ever sit behind a kit. He was born January 10, 1924 in Newland, N.C., and was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. Roach began drumming with gospel groups at age 10 and played with Duke Ellington at 16.
Roach is credited with recording more than 70 albums and in addition to Ellington, he worked with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Dinah Washington, Sonny Rollins and many more.
Roach was also longtime civil rights advocate, and in 1960 released an album focused on slavery and racism entitled, We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite, that featured vocalist Abbey Lincoln, who he married two years later.
Roach accumulated eight honorary doctorate degrees and served on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts. He is survived by three daughters and two sons.
RIP Mr. Roach.