American Masters Season 38 Episode 1 Bella! This Woman's Place is in the House

Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes, the first episode of season 38 of American Masters, pays tribute to one of the most influential drummers in jazz history. Max Roach was a boundary-pushing artist who helped shape the sound of bebop in the 1940s and was a leading voice in the civil rights movement in the decades that followed.

Through archival footage, personal photographs, and interviews with Roach's family, friends, and fellow musicians, the episode explores his life and celebrated career. Viewers will learn about Roach's early years in North Carolina, his move to New York City, and his collaborations with groundbreaking musicians like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie.

The episode also delves into Roach's activism, including his participation in the March on Washington and his efforts to integrate jazz festivals. Interviews with scholars and cultural critics provide context for Roach's role in the wider cultural landscape, and musicians such as Wynton Marsalis and Terri Lyne Carrington pay tribute to his enduring influence.

Throughout the episode, viewers will be treated to Roach's mesmerizing drumming, highlighting his signature techniques and innovative rhythms. With a deep appreciation for the history and power of jazz music, Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes is a fitting tribute to this towering figure in American music.