⏚ Antoine Chambert-Loir
100. For Big Sid
This thread started hundred days ago with a drum solo, and it ends with a drum solo, from the same recording *Drums Unlimited*. The first one was in 3/4, that one will be in 4/4, a homage from one great drummer to another great predecessor, Sid Catlett, which Roach claimed (in a 1958 Downbeat interview) was his main source of inspiration.
Max Roach builds up an actual melody (Is there a word such as rythmolody?), from repeated motives and variations, arranged differently (such as these two 8th notes that end on the 4th beat, listen how they appear all over the theme, either on the snare or on cymbals). It's a drum tune that one can sing !
For Big Sid
99. Joy Spring
A wonderful Clifford Brown composition from the 1954 album led by him and Max Roach.
Each of the choruses is a marvel of musicality.
Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Joy Spring
98. Fallen Feathers
I wanted to find a copy a of a tune, “Fallen Petals”, that Max Roach recorded in 1999 with his “Beijing Trio”. Since that album does not seem to be available anywhere, let's go back to 1955 and listen to these Fallen Feathers, composed and arranged by Quincy Jones for the Cannonball Adderley octet.
A gorgeous while simple arrangement of a beautiful ballad.
Fallen Feathers
97. (Untitled performance)
“New drum music is made in the culture? Of course, Max Roach is here.”
In 1983, Max Roach met hip hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy at The kitchen.
From be bop to hip hop, Max Roach was there to create groove.
How Max Roach fused jazz and hip hop | Max Roach | American Masters | PBS
96. Statements
This is probably the last recording by Max Roach, a 2002 duet album with trumpet player Clark Terry.
It seems like these two musicians have blues flowing in their veins.
(Only that track is available on YT, alas…)
Clark Terry & Max Roach Statements/ステートメンツ を再生する
95. Monk's Dream
This is such a great concert.
On a classic theme by Thelonious Monk, these two musicians just play. And laugh!
Monk's Dream
94. Soul Eyes
Same concert, a ballad composed by the pianist Mal Waldron to the intention of John Coltrane who recorded it in March 1957. In this version, Mal Waldron starts alone, and Max Roach joins him on brushes to end on sticks at the end of the tune. Mal Waldron has written lyrics, which Jeanne Lee rendered magnificently.
A soul, I'm told
Can be both hot and cold
So how is one to know
Which way to go?
Soul Eyes
93. Mistral Breeze
“Music is like breathing to me. It's life.” Mal Waldron
Mistral Breeze
92. Flirtations
The other great concert I was alluding to a few days ago happened in 1995 on the occasion of Mal Waldron's 70th birthday.
The concert starts with this free improvisation between the two masters.
