Sounds and Zounds

To call Max Roach a genius, might be short sighted. He brought drumming to a all new level of sound. Helped shape the sound of Bebop jazz, working with greats like, Monk, Mingus, Ellington, Davis and the drum wars of Buddy Rich. He was a teacher for many years at Umass and I remember clearly story from this period. He was giving a public performance at the school and his band was late, he went out there and played alone, and from all accounts was one of the most amazing jazz performances.

I have great memories in college trying to tap out his rhythms and listening to his works. He really is all over jazz, jazz is really a lot of him.

I think tonight is going to be a “Money Jungle” type of night. Probably, my favorite performance next to “Deeds, to words”.

Thanks for the music Max!

As I prepare mentally for my trip in November to Africa I have found myself listing and looking for more African based world music. This had me thinking about what music from this gender started my enjoyment of this style. It started with Stewart.

The Rhythmatist was the gateway of learning of African music to a boy from a New England town (me). Hearing it for the first time in about 20 years I remember all the rhythms that I liked in it. How corny it could be in parts and how it reminded me of the soundtrack to the Equalizer. It is a very 80’s CD with lots of signature Copeland drumming parts that helped me start listening to different music. For this reason alone I will always enjoy this disc.