Max Roach

Max Roach on vinyl: the beat of bebop

In short: Max Roach (1924–2007) is regarded as one of the most important drummers in jazz. In the forties he helped invent bebop drumming – with the pulse on the cymbal and free accents. In the fifties he led a legendary quintet with trumpeter Clifford Brown, and later he combined jazz with political commitment. The Vinyl Room currently has 5 Max Roach records.

What makes Max Roach special?

Roach played the drums like a melodic instrument. “Jazz At Massey Hall” captures a 1953 concert in Toronto – with Charlie Parker (credited as “Charlie Chan” for contractual reasons), Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell and Charles Mingus. “Money Jungle” shows him with Duke Ellington and Mingus in a tense, exciting trio.

Plus Sonny Rollins: “Rollins Plays For Bird” with Kenny Dorham and Roach, and “3 Giants!” with Rollins, Clifford Brown and Max Roach.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by Max Roach

→ Charles Mingus · Sonny Rollins · Clifford Brown · Bop

FAQ

What is “Jazz At Massey Hall”? A 1953 concert in Toronto with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Max Roach.

Who is “Charlie Chan”? Charlie Parker, credited under that name for contractual reasons.

Who did Max Roach play with on “Money Jungle”? Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus.

Which records do you have? Classics of the fifties and sixties in originals and later editions – 5 records in all.