November 28, 2025

Max Roach (1924-2007)

1 hour 45 minutes

This week, Kate Molleson explores the life and work of a musical giant – drummer and composer Max Roach – in the company of writer and broadcaster Kevin Le Gendre. Together they trace Roach’s extraordinary journey: from his early days at the heart of bebop alongside Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, through his pioneering role as a bandleader, his political activism during the civil rights era, and his later innovations in percussion and collaboration. Roach’s story is one of constant reinvention as performer, composer and activist, shaping jazz and beyond for more than half a century.

Music includes:

Dr Free-Zee (from Max Roach +4)

Joy Spring (from Clifford Brown and Max Roach)

Bu Dee Daht (from Coleman Hawkins: Rainbow Mist)

Salt Peanuts (from Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker: Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945)

Ko-Ko (from Charlie Parker: The Complete Savoy and Dial Master Takes)

Bird Gets the Worm (from Charlie Parker: The Complete Savoy and Dial Master Takes)

Move (from Miles Davis: The Complete Birth of the Cool)

Cherokee (from Jazz at Massey Hall)

Cou Manchi-Cou (from Max Roach Quartet, featuring Hank Mobley)

Maximum (from In the Beginning)

Daahoud (from Clifford Brown and Max Roach)

Sandu (from Study in Brown)

Take the A Train (from Study in Brown)

Fleurette Africain (from Money Jungle)

Driva’man (from We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite)

Freedom Day (from We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite)

Garvey’s Ghost (from Percussion Bitter Sweet)

Lonesome Lover (from It’s Time: Max Roach, his Chorus and Orchestra)

The Drum Also Waltzes (from Drums Unlimited)

Libra (from Members Don’t Git Weary)

Let Thy People Go (from Lift Every Voice and Sing)

Joshua (from Lift Every Voice and Sing)

A Quiet Place (from Collage)

Double Delight (from Bright Moments)

Spirit Possession (from Birth and Rebirth)

Love is a Many Splendored Thing (from Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street)

Presented by Kate Molleson.

Produced by Martin Williams for BBC Audio Wales & West.

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Max Roach (1924-2007) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mb7w.

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.

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By BBC Radio 3

230230 ratings