Celebrating 1984 NEA Jazz Master Max Roach’s Centenary

In today’s podcast, filmmakers Sam Pollard and Ben Shapiro discuss their film “Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes.”   In our conversation, they place Max Roach within the context of American culture, emphasizing his legendary status as a drummer, a composer, and a significant figure in Black consciousness and activism.  Sam Pollard shares his 40 year journey in  making this documentary, while Ben Shapiro talks about his own connection to Roach reaching back to a radio documentary.

They discuss their coming together and collaboration in making the film, highlighting their complementary skills.  We talk about Roach's musical evolution from a seminal drummer in the bebop era to a soloist and a leader in exploring new dimensions in percussion, the profound impact of Roach's collaboration with Clifford Brown, especially in terms of musical innovation, the toll Brown’s early tragic death had on Max, the film's focus on Roach's "Freedom Now Suite"  and its significance in both the music world and social movements, including its impact on the civil rights movement in the USA and anti-apartheid struggles in South Africa. We discuss Max's marriage to Abbey Lincoln, noting her influence on his life and music, and her own significant artistic contributions, how Roach's political activism impacted his music career and his transition into teaching, where he continued to influence younger musicians, emphasizing his continuous evolution as an artist. We also discuss upcoming screenings of the film and upcoming events at NJPAC celebrating Max Roach’s centenary. Overall, the interview paints a comprehensive picture of Max Roach's life, his immense contributions to music and social activism, and the journey of creating a documentary that captures his multifaceted legacy.