Max Roach
Drums Solo on
Pent-Up House

About

Max Roach's drum solo is the fourth and final improvisation on this recording, closing the solo section after statements by Brown, Rollins, and Powell. Taking two choruses of the 16-bar form in G at 191 BPM, Roach delivers a characteristically structured drum solo that maintains clear awareness of the form. His melodic approach to the drums, with its careful attention to dynamics and phrase shape, brings the extended performance to a satisfying conclusion before the return of the catchy theme.

Max Roach was 31 to 32 years old at the time.