Max Roach was a percussionist and drummer who changed Jazz drumming forever.  He began playing the clubs of New York in the early 1940's and became one of the first drummers to play in the bebop style.  He completely revolutionized drumming and spent the rest of his career evolving his style, breaking musical barriers and thrilling his listeners. He used his music to address racial and political matters thought the 1960's, and continued to support black artists of all genres through his career.While he loved Jazz, he also stunned fans by appearing with hip hop artist Fab Five Freddy, and with rock and roll artist Rush drummer on Neil Peart's Burning for Buddy.He played with many of the greatest jazz artists of all time including Dizzie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis.  He was awarded the MacArthur Foundation 'genius grant' in 1988, was an a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, awarded Harvard Jazz Master, and was in the Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame.He was the last surviving originator of the bebop style, and with his death and era ends.