[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 140 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF MAX ROACH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2007

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the 
incredible life and work of legendary jazz drummer and composer Max 
Roach.
  Few of the musicians remain who were there with Charlie Parker, 
Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Bud Powell and 
Thelonious Monk as they created a new more adventurous, unbridled form 
of jazz: bebop. The passing of Max Roach on August 16, at age 83, marks 
another step towards the end of the modern jazz world's greatest 
generation.
  Roach's style, marked by its awe inspiring clarity and control, would 
come to redefine and expand the role of jazz drummers. In the mid-
1940's he transformed the sound of jazz percussion from an easy-going, 
head-swaying swing sound, with just a dash of horn-led syncopation, to 
a sound that had a propulsive drive. After Max Roach, being a jazz 
drummer meant more than being a mere tempo-keeper.
  With Roach the cymbals led the way, not just followed the chart; and, 
every now and then, Roach would accent a beat or drop an explosion on 
the tom-tom, to carve up the rhythm and extend the horns' liberties. 
Even the most casual listener could not help hearing the difference. 
Throughout the next 47 years his virtuosity would change the way 
drummers and musicians looked at playing jazz.
  Max Roach was a prolific performer and recording artist; indeed, he 
was the percussionist on many of the seminal jazz recordings of the 
last half century.
  Renowned throughout his performing life, Roach has won an 
extraordinary array of honors. He was one of the first winners of the 
MacArthur Foundation ``genius'' grant, cited as a Commander of the 
Order of Arts and Letters in France, twice awarded the French Grand 
Prix du Disque, elected to the International Percussive Society's Hall 
of Fame and the Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame, awarded Harvard Jazz 
Master, celebrated by Aaron Davis Hall, given eight honorary doctorate 
degrees, including degrees awarded by the University of Bologna, Italy 
and Columbia University.
  He is survived by five children: sons Daryl and Raoul, and daughters 
Maxine, Ayo and Dara. My heart goes out to them and I wish them all 
well in this time of difficulty. It is unlikely that we will ever see 
another Max Roach, but we were blessed to have had him while we did.

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