A tale of two eras: Terri Lyne Carrington pays tribute to the revolutionary spirit of Max Roach on ‘We Insist 2025!’

1849 saw the French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Kerr remarking that change, while it may seem to occur, often just repeats itself. Fast forward to 2025, and this sentiment is strikingly reflected in the continued relevance of protest songs. Compositions such as Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” penned over six decades ago, remain potent and essential for their powerful messages, much like when they were first created.

This year, Grammy-winning jazz drummer Terri Lyne Carrington chose to honor one of her drumming role models, the iconic Max Roach, by revisiting his groundbreaking 1961 album “We Insist!”. However, rather than merely being a musical homage, the recording of “We Insist 2025!” became an opportunity for Carrington to ponder over the enduring issues of inequality, racism, and injustice that Max Roach confronted back in 1961, which continue to persist today.

Gosh, I’m amazed that these topics are still pertinent,” Carrington remarks. “As we examine how things have evolved in certain aspects but remained stagnant in others, it can be quite disheartening, especially at this moment. Initially, when we began this project, the election hadn’t taken place yet. I thought I had a good understanding of what was to unfold during that election, and it was significant then. However, with recent events, it has become even more critical.

At the age of 59, Carrington, currently holding the position of Zildjian Chair in Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, is now prepared to impart some of his advocacy for social justice to the upcoming generation.

She remembers her uncle saying this game is for the young when she was in her twenties, a statement he made before his passing. At the time, she resented him for not doing more, feeling that he should have carried on the fight. However, as she reflects now, she understands his sentiment – he had done his part, and it was her turn to take up the struggle. She acknowledges that whatever actions she takes, she relies on the passion and anger of the younger generation, believing their energy will make a difference.

In one of her numerous endeavors promoting her passion for jazz is serving as an A&R for Candid Records, a renowned jazz label established by the esteemed jazz writer Nat Hentoff in 1960. Therefore, she appeals to the upcoming generation to join her mission entitled “We Insist 2025!”.

She considered reaching out to the individuals who were or are currently being contracted by Candid Records, as she is responsible for A&R at Candid. She saw this as an excellent chance not only to contact them but also to highlight a number of these artists, many of whom are young and progressive, who are currently signing with Candid. It’s almost like a family reunion; we all got together to honor this exceptional artist and this remarkable project, she said.

The central figure among the new-age jazz musicians featured on this album is singer Christie Dashiell, who works closely with Carrington on the project.

Carrington emphasized that Christie Dashiell played a crucial role in the project due to her prominent vocal presence, something people readily connect with. He explained, ‘The typical listener relates most to the voice, and I believe she beautifully represents various aspects of Black music heritage.’ With this in mind, Carrington began by considering which voice would suit the concept best.

As a jazz aficionado, I’ve been privileged to perform alongside legends like Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz. This experience has deeply enriched my understanding of jazz history, and I proudly consider myself as a link connecting the past and future of this vibrant genre. In our latest project, “We Insist 2025!”, I took great care to strengthen that connection. One key element was inviting trombonist Julian Priester to join us in the studio. At 89 years old, he is the last surviving musician who contributed to Roach’s seminal work from 1961, ensuring our bridge to the past remains as strong and resilient as ever.

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Jazz music has always been about connecting generations through mentorship and apprenticeships. This tradition plays a significant role in jazz. It’s an art form deeply rooted in learning from others,” she explains. “We modernized this music, but we didn’t make it so modern that there was no room for a musician like Julian Priester. I believe that being able to bridge the past and the future is crucial – acknowledging our musical roots while also looking towards what’s next or mirroring the present is important.

The primary motivation behind the creation of “We Insist 2025!” was not only to uphold the album’s original political message in today’s tumultuous times nor solely to provide a platform for upcoming artists, as envisioned by Carrington. Rather, it was a tribute to Roach, marking his centennial birthday anniversary. For Carrington, the essence of her interpretation lay in honoring the music and the spirit that Roach had crafted on “We Insist!”.

She shares that she has a history of reinventing projects within others’ work and preserving their legacy while incorporating her unique touch. It’s essential for her that this blend is fresh and distinctly hers. In essence, she’s not offering new music, but many aspects surrounding it are novel. As a result, she believes the overall presentation is slightly transformative, even though the lyrics remain unchanged. By modifying the musical arrangements around the lyrics, she gives the lyrics a new perspective.

In her role as a prominent advocate for jazz music in the country, Carrington aims for this recording to acquaint fresh audiences with Roach’s impressive musical heritage and rejuvenate the spirit of protest music. To accomplish this goal, she has been communicating ambitious plans with Roach’s family.

As a passionate admirer of Max Roach’s work, I’ve had numerous conversations with Raul Roach, Max’s son, regarding potential collaborations that could involve creating extensive shows. We’re considering bringing some of his music to life and even exploring other pieces from Max’s discography, such as the double quartet compositions. Our discussions revolve around finding innovative ways to honor Max Roach’s legacy and his artistic genius. There’s a rich tapestry of ideas here that we can build upon, creating an even more comprehensive celebration of this legendary drummer and composer.

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2025-06-12 13:31