Jazz master Max Roach dies at 83

[SallyLightfoot]

http://www.mercurynews.com/cars/ci_6640070

NEW YORK—Max Roach, the master percussionist whose rhythmic innovations and improvisations defined bebop jazz during a wide-ranging career where he collaborated with artists from Duke Ellington to rapper Fab Five Freddy, has died after a long illness. He was 83.

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Living in (and later near) NYC, I saw Max Roach play many times, both as a leader an a support musician. He leaves behind a rich and storied contribution to jazz and percussion in general. RIP

Which reminds me of something my friends and I talk about often when talking about music: Life is short-- make an effort to see the bands you truly enjoy while they are still around.