Max Roach
Drums Solo on
What Am I Here For?

About

Max Roach closes the solo section with one chorus of drums on this blazing reading of "What Am I Here For?," the tempo having climbed past 283 BPM by this point in the performance. His work at this demanding speed showcases the precision and musicality that set him apart from his contemporaries, as he shapes a formally coherent statement within the 32-bar ABAC structure. Roach's ability to maintain compositional clarity at extreme tempos was a defining feature of his artistry, and this solo exemplifies that quality in a tight, concentrated package following Harold Land, Clifford Brown, and Richie Powell.

Max Roach was 30 to 31 years old at the time.