Max Roach Dies at 83

By I Aug. 17, 2007

Max Roach, whose pioneering bebop drumming was revered for its tenacity and musicality, died early Thursday morning in his sleep due to complications of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 83.

Roach is considered one of the most important and influential jazz drummers of all time. His work with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker first thrust him into the jazz spotlight during the mid-‘40s. At this time, Roach drew on the style of Kenny Clarke to advance new approaches to drumming, including the use of the bass drum as a comping instrument and a more melodic style of soloing.

Roach recorded with Miles Davis for his groundbreaking Birth Of The Cool sessions, and later he and trumpeter Clifford Brown led an influential hard-bop quintet. Beginning in the ‘60s, Roach pursued a range of more avant-garde and eclectic projects, performing with such artists as Cecil Taylor and Anthony Braxton.

Roach garnered numerous awards throughout his robust career, including an induction into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 1980 and a MacArthur “genius grant” in 1981. He also joined the faculty at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1972.

In recent years, Roach had become less active due to hydrocephalus-related complications. He was living in New York at the time of his death.

Roach is survived by five children: Darryl, Maxine, Ayo, Dara and Raoul. His family issued a statement: “We are deeply saddened by his passing, yet heartened and thankful for the many blessings and condolences we have received during as we grieve.”

Services for will be held Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. in New York’s Riverside Church. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. The internment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601. In addition, fans can leave their thoughts at an online guestbook here.