Roach was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, but grew up in Brooklyn in a musical family. He was one of the first drummers to play in the bebop style, and played with the greats of the era, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell and Charles Mingus. Roach was part of the “Birth Of The Cool” sessions with Miles Davis, before starting his own quintet with trumpeter Clifford Brown. Roach is credited with freeing up the drumming of swing era players by shifting more rhythmic focus to the ride cymbal. Roach’s “We Insist! Freedom Now Suite” is credited with helping the civil rights movement and formed the pioneering percussion ensemble M’Boom. Roach taught at University of Massachusetts and played in many settings, from orchestral to gospel to duo outings with pianists Cecil Taylor and Mal Waldron. He died in New York aged 83.
