American Masters show's poster

Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

RMPBS Passport

Please log in to your PBS Passport account to watch this video

Become a Member

Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes

Season 37 Episode 9 | 82m 29s | CC

Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach, whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him.

Related stories

History
Sewing together the stories of Colorado’s Japanese American history
This comprehensive Colorado Japanese Women’s Quilt Project collects the quilts of over 80 Japanese-American families in Colorado.
 | Chase McCleary
History
Denver’s Latino community reclaims anti-colonial history of Cinco de Mayo
The commercialization of Cinco de Mayo has obscured its history, which celebrates Mexican strength and resistance against colonialism.
 | Carly Rose
History
Owl Club exhibit spotlights Black excellence amid national efforts to censor Black history
The “Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence” exhibit at History Colorado runs through April 11.
 | Carly Rose

American Masters

Watch more episodes

See more
See more
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.