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Max Roach On Piano Jazz Roach was one of jazz's legendary drummers — an innovator and co-creator of what became known as bebop. In this program from 1998, Roach relates a few memories of performing with Bird, Monk and Diz.
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Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Acclaimed jazz artists share music and memories

Max Roach On Piano Jazz

Max Roach In The Studio

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Max Roach performs in Havana, Cuba in 1989. Rafael Perez/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rafael Perez/AFP/Getty Images

Max Roach performs in Havana, Cuba in 1989.

Rafael Perez/AFP/Getty Images

Being a legendary drummer was only part of Max Roach's musical personality; he was also an accomplished composer and storyteller. On this 1998 episode of Piano Jazz, Roach (1924–2007) relates a few of his many musical memories from performing with greats like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie.

Roach also treats listeners to a selection of his own compositions. And he, host Marian McPartland and bassist Ray Drummond collaborate in "I'll Remember Clifford" and "Joy Spring."

Originally recorded April 21, 1998. Originally broadcast Sept. 29, 1998.

Set List

  • "Drum Also Waltzes" (Roach)
  • "Now's The Time" (Parker)
  • "Billy The Kid" (Roach)
  • "I Remember Clifford" (Golson)
  • "The Smoke That Thunders" (Roach)
  • "Joy Spring" (Hendricks, Brown)
  • "Giant Steps" (Coltrane)
  • "All The Things You Are" (Hammerstein)
Special Series

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Acclaimed jazz artists share music and memories