Max Roach, one of the greatest jazz percussionists passed away yesterday at the age of 83. He was a pioneering drummer, band leader, composer, educator, civil rights activist and MacArthur Fellowship recipient. It is sad to see, with all other other stuff going on in the news, the muted response and lack of reflections on the passing of someone of his stature.

The New York Times has the most complete retrospective, while the Dissident Voice has a great little in memoriam called The Beat Has Stopped.


Rest In Peace.