From press release: A public viewing will be held at Riverside Church for jazz great Max Roach, who died from complications of dementia/Alzheimers Disease at 12:45 a.m. Thursday in New York at the age of 83. His daughters Maxine and Dara were at his bedside, according to family spokesperson, Terrie M. Williams.
Roach’s public viewing will be held on Friday, August 24 at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive in Manhattan, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a public funeral service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The legendary drummer will subsequently be buried in a private ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
Born on January 10, 1924 in Newland, North Carolina, Roach is survived by his five children: Daryl Keith Roach, Maxine Roach, Raoul Roach, Ayo Roach and Dara Roach.
The family issued the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by our beloved fathers passing. We wish to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation for all the blessings and condolences we have received at this time. As his family we are fortunate to have been a part of his life and we will continue to share his legacy as a musician, educator and social activist with the world.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, www.alz.org or Veritas Therapeutic Community, Inc. (which provides substance abuse services),
912 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025, 212-865-9182, ext. 205, http://www.veritas-inc.org , where Roach was a Veritas Foundation trustee and founder.
Listen to him play with Miles Davis on “Move.”
don slovin
September 2, 2007
I was blessed to have met Mr. Roach in Israel. I found some refrence on the net about a film clip from Israel. I have a quick story. It was just a few days after the Gulf War. The Israel Festival among so many other things were suffering by artists and musicians refusing to come to Israel.
now, I was walking down Ben Yehuda, when I saw Mr. Roach and entourage. I immediately knew it was one of my idols and quite rare to see in Jerusalem.
We struck up a conversation, he invited me to his gig in Talpiot, I already had tix. I saw his group and went to every gig of his afterwards. I constantly asked if he needed a tour guide I would be glad to give him the drummers tour. I also told him of a unique occurence where in the Religious community they have a tradition at weddings of having a drummer and one other instrument. I, realizing Mr. Roach was not going to go with him. Went to one of those weddings, and narrated the goings on, I also went to the Shuk and got him a dumbek. On the last day of his Israel tour, I gave him these gifts and he confided in me, that because of the situation, his advisors advised not to go out of there protection and if it weren’t for that he would have taken me up on my offer. What an amazing drummer an then I realized a hero of a man, thank you Max for coming to Israel at that time, and I apologize for not following my impulse to meet up with you in NY.
also, if you have that tape. please cherish it.
Don
p.s. I don’t know what this website is, so I hope this get’s to the family, please contact me if it did,
thank you
Connie Kane
August 28, 2007
My condolences to the family. Maxine, Daryl we were trying to reach you last month to let you know of the passing of our sister, your former neighbor, Mena George. Our condolences to your mom, Mildred also and your brother and sisters. I am Mrs Georges sister Connie in Denver. God Bless all of you.
Anonymous
August 24, 2007
i was greatly saddened by mr. roach’s passing. i saw him leading a small combo in a night club in chicago, many years ago. i think that the trumpet player was booker little. i can’t remember the others in the group. i have a large collection of jazz records and i have many of max roach albums. may he rest in peace….tom baldwin, freehold, new jersey
Louis Jackson
August 23, 2007
Was blessed to see Max live four times in Atlanta, Ga. They were moving and inspirational experiences. Long live Max Roach. Blessings, strength and peace to the family.
Verena Pfister
August 22, 2007
Dear family,
Dear Jazz community,
I was privileged to encounter Max Roach several times after his concerts in Switzerland/Europe; he always joyfully signed my precious records of his. For reasons of appreciation I will fly over there and join you on Friday at the Riverside Church.
God bless Max, God bless you.
Much musical love, Verena Maria Pfister, Zurich