RUFFIN: NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT

Birth under

NEA JAZZ MASTER ANTHONY BRAXTON TALKS ABOUT RECORDING WITH ONE OF HIS IDOLS, DRUMMER MAX ROACH.

ANTHONY BRAXTON: I remember everything about it. And first I was surprised to know that the great man had chosen me. I didn't choose him. I would never ever have even suggested that I walk across the street while he was playing. I worshipped the ground he walked on. And of course my answer was, "Yes, yes, yes, sir."

And so we walked into the studio. He had nothin' to say to me. And I said, "Uh, Mr. Roach, good afternoon, sir. Is, uh, everything okay?" Nothin' to say. He turned to the engineer. He says, "Turn on the tape. Let's play."

Birth up and hot

Everything was in one swoop. There was no breaks. And then after the recording was finished he said, "Anthony, how are you?" And that’ when our relationship started. It was actually very beautiful. The old master checked me out to see if I was on a level where it was worth it. And then after the recording we became friends. I was the luckiest guy on the planet.

THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH ALTO SAXOPHONIST ANTHONY BRAXTON WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

Excerpt of "Birth" composed and performed by Anthony Braxton and Max Roach from the album, Birth and Rebirth, used courtesy of CamJazz / Black Saint and used by permission of Kobalt Music Publishing [BMI].