Blue Engine Records, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s in-house label, is thrilled to announce the release of The Music of Max Roach, a live album celebrating the centennial of the legendary drummer-composer, bebop pioneer, and activist Max Roach (1924-2007). This commemorative release—captured live in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater this past January—features new big band arrangements of some of Roach’s most influential compositions, performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Music-directed and produced by the JLCO’s own drummer Obed Calvaire with special guest vocalists Shenel Johns and Chorale Le Chateau (led by Damien Sneed), The Music of Max Roach is available now for streaming on all digital platforms: jazz.org/max
Max Roach was a revolutionary figure in jazz, known for his groundbreaking contributions to bebop and free improvisation as well as his passionate involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Perhaps no jazz musician embodied political activism as profoundly as Roach, a master of rhythmic and tonal design on the drum set and a pioneer in the deployment of odd meter. “He’s one of the great freedom fighters in the history of jazz,” says Jazz at Lincoln Center Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis. “An unbelievable drum virtuoso, Max invented the modern style of drum.”
Taken from a live performance music directed by Obed Calvaire, The Music of Max Roach includes fresh big band arrangements of some of Roach’s most searing compositions. Each song on the album (apart from Calvaire’s anthemic “Between Max and Ti-Roro”) is a Roach original released between 1957 and 1966, highlighting some of the artist’s most impassioned work. Featuring special guest vocalist Shenel Johns and Chorale Le Chateau (led by Damien Sneed), The Music of Max Roach gives Roach the thrilling retrospective his artistry deserves.
“You could take four bars from Max and come up with a lifetime of vocabulary on the instrument,” says Obed Calvaire. “That’s how much he’s influenced our music. He was just a genius and there will never be another Max Roach.”
TRACKLIST
- 1. Blues Waltz
- Garvey’s Ghost
- The Drum Also Waltzes
- Lonesome Lover
- Freedom Day
- Conversation
- Driva’ Man
- Between Max and Ti-Roro
PERSONNEL
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
REEDS
Sherman Irby
Abdias Armenteros
Alexa Tarantino
Chris Lewis
Paul Nedzela
TRUMPETS
Ryan Kisor
Geoff Gallante
Marcus Printup
Wynton Marsalis
TROMBONES
Vincent Gardner
Chris Crenshaw
Elliot Mason
RHYTHM
Dan Nimmer – piano
Carlos Henriquez – bass
Obed Calvaire – drums, music director
Special Guests:
Shenel Johns
Chorale Le Chateau (Led by Chorus Master Damien Sneed)
Chorus Le Chateau
Damien Sneed, chorus master
Chenee Campbell
Nia Drummond
Sean Holland II
Markita Knight
Djore Nance
Jillian Willis