Tuesday, May 4, 2010

for max roach (2)


for max roach
(1924 -- 2007)


a double kwansaba


from the great dismal swamp u came
to put fear & awe in the
drummer; to do more than just keep
time. to make magic, play the pulse
of the standard 4 on the ride
& free up the three other limbs
to make real change; to make music.

one of the last bebop giants, u
lived long, long enough to tell yr
whole story -- in solos, mixing up pitches,
timbres, using deft silence or blazing speed--
by making yr drums talk, sing yr
passion song of freedom, human rights, &
change until the very day u died.

© Joseph McNair

2 comments:

  1. Max roach was the greatest drummer in jazz and one of the most conscious human beings to walk the planet. thank you for this tribute.

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  2. Max has always been one of my favorites, too. Thank you for your kind words

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