Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes (American Masters on PBS)

[eppur_se_muova]

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/max-roach-the-drum-also-waltzes-film/26469/

APT recently re-ran this episode from Oct. 2023. It was quite revelatory. I've seen that name on many older recordings, but knew basically nothing about his later work. Whether for the history of jazz, the civil rights struggle, or exploration of new music, it's worth a watch.

Of course, the death of trumpeter Clifford Brown figures relatively early in the documentary. I suppose every jazz fan has heard the tragic story of the life of this young, promising talent being cut short in a (multiply) fatal traffic accident. Max and Clifford often worked together in a quartet (among other things) that was growing in reputation and success when Clifford was killed. I never thought about the traumatic effect his death had on his closest musical associates, but for Max it was apparently deeply traumatic and long-lasting, as bad as any death in the family.

Overall, the film is more a celebration than a memorial of one of the greatest drummers of all time -- and that's not limited to only jazz drummers.