Max Roach
Drums Solo on
Bongo Beep

About

Max Roach closes out the solos on drums with one chorus, following Duke Jordan at approximately 191 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 12-bar Blues form and the key of C, the solo navigates the chord changes with purpose. Coming last in the solo order, Roach has the task of building on everything that came before while steering the performance back toward the closing head. Jordan's two-chorus piano solo and Roach's drum chorus round out a performance that showcases every member of the sextet. The groove sits in a comfortable medium-up zone, encouraging flowing melodic invention.

Max Roach was 22 to 23 years old at the time.