Max Roach (1924–2007), drummer-composer, helped invent modern jazz drumming—ride-cymbal time, melodic independence and volcanic swing. After early bebop with Parker and Gillespie, he co-led the Clifford Brown–Max Roach Quintet, a hard-bop touchstone. A fearless innovator, he created the civil-rights statement We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, founded the M’Boom percussion ensemble, and explored chamber works and duos.