Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Frederick Roach was born on May 11, 1931 in The Bronx, New York. He made his record debut in 1960 with saxophonist Ike Quebec on the albums Heavy Soul and It Might as Well Be Spring and played with Willis Jackson.

>From 1962-64 he recorded five albums as a leader for the Blue Note Records label. He also recorded with Donald Byrd on the album I’m Tryin’ to Get Home. His original writing, steady basslines, and highly musical fleet-fingered right hand set him apart.

1966-67 saw Freddie recording three more albums as a leader for Prestige Records, which are in a more commercial vein than his Blue Note dates. He left the music business in 1970 and became involved in theater, playwriting and film.

Roach was a soulful organist, certainly influenced by Jimmy Smith, but with a distinct sound and a quite original concept, which was perhaps best heard on “Good Move” for Blue Note. His Blue Note albums are critically acclaimed

Soul jazz Hammond B3 organist Freddie Roach, who moved to California for the film industry, suffered a heart attack and passed away on October 3, 1980.

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