Max Roach unarguably sits at the throne of drum Percussionists. A quintessential member of the Artform ushered in by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and Kenny Clark, his inimitable style and innovations paved the way for generations of drummers well into the future.

Self-taught trumpet wizard & virtuoso composer, arranger, Grammy-nominated recipient Charles Tolliver has kept the faith with his Artform’s African American rhythms, and acclaimed large and small group recordings & performances throughout a career that spans six decades.

Earlier in his career he had the pleasure of being invited by Max Roach to join his group in 1967 and occupied the trumpet chair for some years forming a lifelong musical and personal relationship. In 1971 Max asked Charles to create a Drum Suite adaptation of an old Negro spiritual “Singin’ Wid a Sword In My Hand” from the James Weldon Johnson book of Negro Spirituals. It was premiered that year at the Montreux Jazz Festival featuring Max, Charles, and Stanley Cowell.

To celebrate this historic occasion Charles Tolliver brings to the stage a number of special guests and an orchestra assembled by Tony Kofi in this new spectacular show to honour Max Roach’s 100th.