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Max Roach--Drums Unlimited

From Ben Shapiro | 00:53:56
Producers: Ben Shapiro

Credit:
Master drummer Max Roach recounts his own extraordinary journey, from the era of the Jim Crow south to the creation of modern jazz, from the civil rights years to far-reaching experiments in percussion--with thrilling music and storytelling help from friends like Dizzy Gillespie.

Imagine a musician single-handedly redefining what an instrument can do, elevating it to a whole other level. That's what the late Max Roach did for the drums. Whether its Jazz or rock or funk, there isn't a drummer today who isn't somehow influenced by what Roach played.

But that's only a part of Max Roach's story, which spanned the Harlem Renaissance, the development of modern jazz, right up to hip hop and multi-media. Over a fifty-year career he blazed his way across genres as percussionist, bandleader and composer.

Max Roach tells his story with frankness and a characteristic sharp wit, supported by "special guests" including Dizzy Gillespie, and noted drummers Paul Motion and Art Taylor. Max Roach--Drums Unlimited is narrated by Kenny Washington, a host of shows on public radio and Sirius, and himself a well-known jazz drummer. Washington brings his own drum-knowledge to the table, as well as a friendship with Max Roach.

Max Roach passed away in August, 2007, and this original special pegs to either end-of-year "obit", or to his birth date, January 10. Despite its timeliness now with his recent passing, the show is evergreen for any future use. Hide full description

Imagine a musician single-handedly redefining what an instrument can do, elevating it to a whole other level. That's what the late Max Roach did for the drums. Whether its Jazz or rock or funk, there isn't a drummer today who isn't somehow influenced by what Roach played. But that's only a part of Max Roach's story, which spanned the Harlem Renaissance, the development of modern jazz, right up to hip hop and multi-media. Over a fifty-year career he blazed his way across genres as percussionist, bandleader and composer. Max Roach tells his story with frankness and a characteristic sharp wit, supported by "special guests" includ...
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4 Comments Atom Feed

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Steve Robinson

Posted on February 01, 2009 at 11:01 PM | Permalink

Max Roach Special

I agree 10,000 percent with the comments already made. I'd like to add that this is one of the most moving, wonderful, inspirational, creative, spiritual and lovingly produced documentaries I've ever heard. It's a must for any station regardless of format.

Steve Robinson
General Manager
WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network
Chicago, IL

1 out of 1 people found this comment helpful
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David Srebnik

Posted on January 12, 2008 at 03:26 AM | Permalink

Review of Max Roach--Drums Unlimited

Max Roach Drums Unlimited
(Ben Shapiro Producer)

The challenge in producing a music documentary is getting that balance between music and talk, musical enjoyment and musical education. To my ear, too many music documentaries and some of the weekly music shows leave listeners hungry for the music - they never get their musical fill.

I like this documentary. Even though the talk to music ratio is about equal, Producer Ben Shapiro has found a way to give us the history, context, personality and innovations behind one of music's top players and thinkers without sacrificing a strong musical presence.

Host Kenny Washington is clearly a Max Roach fan, but hosts this program without fawn. Equally impressive, Mr. Washington is also a drummer with an ability to avoid drum-speak when introducing and exalting Roach's innovations.

If I had known in advance that Mr. Washington sings along with the music, to emphasize the innovative character of his approach to rhythm or melody, I probably would have diminished my expectations. But, Washington's brief sing-alongs are a great bit, and, in a sense, better than words as a way to underscore and highlight Max Roach's inventions and musical contributions.

I?d suggest running this program after your weekday news block at 7 or 8 pm. It's perfect for the weekend afternoons and evenings, and would especially add hope to a Sunday evening in anticipation of a dreaded Monday morning.

Max Roach Drums Unlimited does break the unofficial "length-of-drum-solo" rule near the top of the show (I'm not sure if you allowed more than 15 seconds...), and there's a bleeped S-word at 58:03 in...fyi.
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Anthea Raymond

Posted on January 01, 2008 at 06:56 PM | Permalink

Review of Max Roach--Drums Unlimited

Producer Ben Shapiro is a drummer. Host Kenny Washington is too.
And you can hear it in "Drums Unlimited," a new documentary about master drummer Max Roach created by Shapiro for PRX.

This 54-minute program takes us from Roach?s childhood in the south, through his
?Around the clock jazz workshop? in New York City and the death of band member Clifford Brown, to his final years as a master teacher and icon.

And, perhaps most importantly, it takes us inside Roach's method and his contributions from a technical perspective. But it?s in language we can all understand.

Roach stopped using his drum to keep time in a steady four-four. He created a musical commentary between the snare and bass drum, accenting what the others in the ensemble were doing. He also pioneered the idea of the drum solo.

Producer Shapiro interviewed Roach several times during his final years in New York City. He produced several other shows about him.

THIS one is built on the best of the tape, from Roach and from folks who played and grew up in the New York City jazz clubs with him.

We also get some spectacular music and mixing. The show drives, the same way Roach?s pioneering counterpoint on the drums pushed jazz in to hardbop.

A seasoned, well-known host, great stories, and well-chosen tape make this a fun one.

Program in time for Roach?s birthday -- he would have been 84 on January 10 -- especially if you missed a chance to obit him this year.

Anthea Raymond
PRX Editorial Board
Los Angeles
January 2, 2008

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Broadcast History

All original programming. Evergreen and especially suitable for end-of-year obit, Max Roach birthday tributes January 10, or Black History Month of February.

Timing and Cues

Billboard: 00:00 - 00:59
In cue: Music and "You're listening to a sound that has inspired me my whole life..."
Out cue: "... tracing the life of master percussionist, bandleader and composer Max Roach, Drums Unlimited. Stay with us." (music ends and fades)

INSERT NEWS HOLE:

Segment 1: 6:00 - 16:45
In cue: "This is Max Roach, Drums Unlimited. I'm Kenny Washington..."
Out cue: "...forever change American music" (music ends)

Break 1 (with music bed): 16:45-17:46

Segment 2: 17:46 - 40:22
In cue: "Welcome back to Max Roach, Drums Unlimited..."
Out cue: "...a special tribute to percussionist, bandleader, composer Max Roach" (music ends and fades)

Break 2: 40:22-41:22 (with music bed)

Segment 3: 41:22 - 58:58
In cue: "This is Max Roach, drums unlimited. I'm Kenny Washington..."
Out cue: "... public radio exchange, p r x dot org." (music ends and fades).

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