In a one-night-only salute to the father of modern drumming, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra member and drummer Ali Jackson illuminates Max Roach’s conceptual and artistic genius. The concert takes place on May 30 at 8pm in Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, located at Broadway at 60th Street in New York, New York.
After crossing paths with Roach at age 12 and later studying with him at the New School University, and as an undisputed disciple of Roach, Jackson’s technical prowess, intuitive emotiveness, and multi-faceted vernacular are front and center in a performance that will include an original composition from Jackson dedicated to this special occasion.
The evening will also feature classics including “Mr. Hi-Hat,” “I Get a Kick out Of You,” and “The Drum Also Waltzes” – the likes of which have been molded in the manner of Abbey Lincoln, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Jackson will be accompanied by pianist Emmet Cohen, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, bassist Russell Hall, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, and percussionist Victor Provost.
As a bebop pioneer and drummer, Roach (1924 – 2007) kicked down perceived boundaries of drumming, creating clear melodies, advanced themes, unparalleled virtuosity, and as described by Jackson, “created the pathway to modern jazz drumming.” His musical conceptions include early quintet work with Clifford Brown and his double quartet with strings. In order to reintroduce these sounds on the stage, Jackson will include a string quartet with violinists Eli Bishop and Sara Caswell, cellist Eugene Friesen, and violist Jeremy Kittel.
To complement the concert, a free pre-concert discussion will be held at 7pm. The concert will also stream live in high-definition audio and video for free to a global audience via jazz.org/live.
Tickets can be purchased through jazz.org 24 hours a day or CenterCharge at 212-721-6500, open daily from 10am to 9pm. Tickets can also be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, located on Broadway at 60th Street, ground floor. Box Office hours: Monday–Saturday from 10am to 6pm (or 30 minutes past curtain) and Sunday from noon to 6pm (or 30 minutes past curtain) Hot Seats, $10 seats for select shows in Rose Theater and The Appel Room (9:30pm performances only), are available for purchase to the general public on the Wednesday prior to each performance. Subject to availability. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Hot Seats Program is supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2014–15 Concert and Education Season features a season-long journey “through the Americas.” Through a diverse array of concerts and programs, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 27th season will explore how jazz has both integrated and influenced the rich musical traditions of the Caribbean and North, South, and Central America. Click here for the complete season schedule.
Special thanks to the Rockefeller Foundation for funding,
in part, the 2014-15 Concert Season.
Jazz at Lincoln Center proudly acknowledges its major corporate partners: Amtrak, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Brooks Brothers, The Coca-Cola Company, Con Edison, Entergy,
HSBC Premier, The Shops at Columbus Circle at Time Warner Center, and Sirius XM.