Drummer Mickey Roker 9/3/32-5/22/2017 - RIP

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Musicians on Facebook are posting of the passing of drummer Mickey Roker this morning at the age of 84.

No obit as of yet.

I had no idea that he was that old. I thought he was at least 10 years younger than that.

Edited May 22, 2017 by Kevin Bresnahan

[Peter Friedman]

Very very sorry to hear this sad news. I saw Mickey Roker in person a few times and have him on countless recordings. He was a damn good drummer and will be missed.

[clifford_thornton]

wow, sad news.

[HutchFan]

Sorry to hear this sad news.

He was a wonderful drummer, and he played on so many special recordings.

R.I.P.

[mjzee]

Very, very sad to hear this.  He was Milt Jackson's choice to replace Connie Kay in the MJQ.  Very soulful musician, and powered so many Pablo dates.  RIP.

[danasgoodstuff]

I've come to appreciate his work much more recently.  RIP.

[BFrank]

I didn't realize he was still living. RIP, Mickey.

[sidewinder]

So sorry to hear this - one of my favourites, stalwart of many 'Liberty' era Blue Note sessions and that fine band with Dizzy Gillespie. Not sure I ever got to see him - although actually saw his name outside Ronnie Scotts  no longer than 4 or 5 years ago, not sure who he was touring with. Sadly, I couldn't check out that gig.

Extremely versatile, tasteful and foot tappingly good drummer. RIP.

"Damn good". Yes - exactly.

Edited May 22, 2017 by sidewinder

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Great interview with Mickey from a few years back: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/mickey-roker-you-never-lose-the-blues-mickey-roker-by-victor-l-schermer.php?pg=1

[Hardbopjazz]

RIP Mickey. 

[soulpope]

R.I.P ....

[JSngry]

Helluva life, one not wasted one bit. RIP and thanks for decades of inspiration.

[Cyril]

Very sad news.

R.I.P Mickey.   

 

Edited May 22, 2017 by Cyril

[Hot Ptah]

I saw him perform with Dizzy Gillespie in 1978, and he was outstanding.

[felser]

He played drums with Shirley Scott during a benefit concert at the Ethical Society in Philly back ca. 1990.  Got to talk to him for a good while, and he was very kind.  Quite a drummer, entered my consciousness in the first two jazz albums I every bought in 1972 (both on the same trip to Franklin Music), Lee Morgan's "Live at the Lighthouse" and the Blue Note "Best of Herbie Hancock".  Led the house band for many years at Philly's Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, though I never got there.  RIP.

[jlhoots]

Bad week for drummers - R.I.P.

[Chalupa]

Sad day. I was lucky to see Mickey play at Ortlieb's many, many times backing up Shirley Scott and, after she left, as a leader in his own right. He always had some amazing musician sitting w/ him - Cecil Payne, Jimmy Oliver, Johnny Coles. Last time I saw him perform was around 2006 w/ Von Freeman (his only Philly performance).

[JohnS]

Sad news.  An artist of quality.   I may have seen him with Dizzy but I can't be sure.

[CJ Shearn]

Damn..........  I thought he passed a few years ago actually, so this was a shock.  I love his playing on Lee's "Lighthouse" date and "Gene Harris Trio Plus 1" especially.

[Justin V]

He is one of my favorite drummers.  I long wanted to see him perform live, but I never had the opportunity.  Thank you for the music, Mr. Roker, and rest in peace.

[Gheorghe]

Really sad news, he was a fantastic drummer. Saw him on several occasions, mostly with Diz. That great quartet Diz had with Rodney Jones, Benjamin Franclin Brown and Mickey Roker , a fantastic group.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

A few tributes/obituaries have come out...

http://wbgo.org/post/mickey-roker-dynamic-hard-bop-drummer-and-philly-jazz-institution-dies-84#stream/0

https://jazztimes.com/news/drummer-mickey-roker-dies-at-84/

 

[mikeweil]

Just learned about this from the Darmstadt Jazz Institute newsletter - one of the grooviest drummers ever, and one of the best at bossa nova rhythm among jazz drummers. 

 

Edited June 1, 2017 by mikeweil

[John L]

I have also loved his drumming.  RIP