Newark is paying tribute to the legendary drummer Max Roach with two special events. These events commemorate his 100th birthday and his remarkable contributions to jazz and civil rights.
Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion
On January 18th at 7 PM, join the community at The Newark Museum of Art for a special screening. “Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes” is a new documentary that takes viewers through Roach’s life and music. The film covers his journey from the Jim Crow era to the rise of modern jazz. A panel discussion with Roach’s son, Raoul, and the film’s creators, Sam Pollard and Ben Shapiro, will follow. This event is open to the public free of charge.
A Night of Revolutionary Jazz: Freedom Now Suite Concert
Continuing the centennial homage, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Prudential Hall will come alive on Friday, January 26th at 8:00 p.m. with the Max Roach Centennial: Freedom Now Suite concert. This ambitious concert will breathe new life into “We Insist!: Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite,” Roach’s groundbreaking 1960 album that fused jazz with poignant messages on social justice and equality. Led by musical director Nasheet Waits, of Max’s percussion ensemble M’Boom, the event boasts a stellar lineup, including Grammy-winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson, eminent poets Sonia Sanchez and Saul Williams, and jazz luminaries Ravi Coltrane, Nduduzo Makhathini, and Eric Revis.
Reflecting on the enduring power of Roach’s music, Nasheet Waits and the ensemble will reinterpret the Freedom Now Suite, promising an evening that resonates with the spirit of today’s cultural and social landscape. Tickets for this one-night-only concert range from $39 to $79, offering a chance to witness the ongoing impact of Max Roach’s work on contemporary music and society.
As Max Roach once expressed, his goal was to narrate the rich and complex story of African American experiences through music. These events in Newark not only honor his artistic and activist contributions but also continue to amplify the narrative he dedicated his life to through jazz—a genre where innovation and expression know no bounds.
