In celebration of Max Roach 100, in partnership with Jazzmobile and SummerStage, the legendary late jazz drummer, composer, bandleader, activist will be honored with a performance by M’BOOM + HORNS led by original founding member WARREN SMITH and current member BOBBY SANABRIA.
WBGO's Sheila Anderson spoke with Smith and Sanabria about the upcoming event on August 16 at Marcus Garvey Park at 7pm.
Warren Smith talked about how M'Boom began in the 1970's.
"I had a studio in Manhattan on 21st Street. Max had been rehearsing with his group there on a weekly basis. He came in and was noticing that I had a set of tympani kettle drums, a full drum set, gongs. marimba and a vibraphone. He got the idea of perhaps starting a percussion ensemble based on the music that most of us were involved in, which people commonly called jazz or improvised music. One day he suggested we should get together, a group of percussionists that he was familiar with, and form a percussion ensemble which became known as M'Boom Repercussion. We got together on Thursdays when most of us were free in the afternoon. For almost a full year we got together on that Thursday and started rehearsing and each of us brought in musical compositions that we could use as a percussion ensemble. We worked together for an entire year before we figured out that we're going to put this on stage."
Founded in 1970 by the legendary drummer, composer, arranger, bandleader and activist Max Roach, M'BOOM is an ensemble comprised completely of percussionists using orchestral percussion instruments - marimba, xylophone, tympani, vibes, orchestra bells, gongs, etc. the American drum set, Afro-Latin percussion, and the Trinidadian steel pan.
The original ensemble featured Roach, Warren Smith, Freddie Waits, Omar Clay, Joe Chambers, Roy Brooks, and Ray Mantilla.
Today the legacy of this legendary ensemble is carried on by Maestros SMITH and SANABRIA which will also feature fellow percussionists JAY HOGGARD, BRYAN CARROT, REGGIE NICHOLSON, and LYNDON ACHEE with a horn section made up of NEA Jazz Master JIMMY OWENS (trumpet), CRAIG HARRIS (trombone), CAMILLE THURMAN (tenor sax, vocals), and PATIENCE HIGGINS (alto, soprano sax, flute). Son to tenor saxophonist Antoine Roney and nephew to the late trumpeter Wallace Roney, talented young drummer KOJO MELCHÉ RONEY and his trio will open the evening.
The concert is dedicated to Maestro Roach’s contributions to the advancement/evolution of the tradition of the American jazz drum set which he impacted greatly as an innovative virtuosic soloist.
Bobby Sanabria gathered the music and players for the upcoming tribute event on August 16.
"Maestro Roach who so game-changing. People don't realize modern jazz drumming would be completely different today if it wasn't for Maestro Max Roach because he added melodicism in a big way to the drum set."
Warren Smith was in the percussion section of the pit orchestra for the original Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY when it premiered at the WINTERGARDEN THEATER on September 26, 1957.
