Maxwell Lemuel Roach (January 10, 1924 - August 16, 2007) was an American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer and a pioneer of bebop. Roach went on to work in many other styles of music and is generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history. He worked with many other world renowned jazz musicians as well as leading his own groups, and made numerous musical statements relating to the African American civil rights movement. By matching his rhythmic attack with a tune's melody, Roach brought a newfound subtlety of expression to his instrument. He often shifted the dynamic emphasis from one part of his drum kit to another within a single phrase, creating a sense of tonal colour and rhythmic surprise. He was one of the first drummers to play in the bebop style, and performed in bands led by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins, Bud Powell, and Miles Davis. Roach played on many of Parker's most important records, including the Savoy November 1945 session, a turning point in recorded jazz. In 1954, Roach and trumpeter Clifford Brown formed a quintet that also featured tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow, though Land left the following year and Sonny Rollins soon replaced him. Roach expanded the standard form of hard-bop using 3/4 waltz rhythms and modality in 1957 with his album 'Jazz in 3/4 time. During this period, Roach recorded a series of other albums for the EmArcy label featuring the brothers Stanley and Tommy Turrentine. One of the true greats of jazz, Max Roach continued to record and perform almost until his death in 2007. This 4CD compilation features, in their completion, Roach's first 9 albums as either leader or co-leader (with Clifford Brown) and features such classic LPs as 'The Max Roach Quartet Featuring Hank Mobley', 'Max Roach + 4' and 'Clifford Brown & Max Roach', among a cool cornucopia of six other masterful recordings.