The City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, lays claim to a set of freedom-founding parchments, a legendary local kite flyer, a big cracked bell, and a roster of incredible jazz artists, including a fiery drummer who proved himself on these historic grounds. The kite flyer, Ben Franklin, made a name for himself by drawing electricity. The drummer, Mickey Roker, made a name for himself by generating electricity to jazz fans all over the globe. Mickey was born in Miami on October 3, 1932, but he was raised in Philly, and that’s where he developed into a musician. In 1959, he began commuting to New York in order to play a gig with saxman/composer Gigi Gryce, and that became his career springboard. The rising drummer performed throughout the ’60s on successive one- to two-year stints with a lineup of top jazz names. But his greatest exposure was gained as being the man […]

October 1985 Issue