Maxwell Lemuel Roach was one of the first drummers to make the style of music known as "bebop" successful. For this alone, he is regarded as one of the most important drummers of the 1940s. He worked with many famous jazz artists like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. By layering rhythms on top of other rhythms, he created a new sound that gave as much attention to a song's melody as to its beat. In addition to his contributions to music, Roach was also active in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. In 1972, he joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he taught courses on jazz.
Billy Gladstone, one of the greatest percussionists of his time, played through New York City theaters until he arrived at the biggest point of his career: Radio City Music Hall. Here, he demonstrated his craft throughout the 1940s, awing crowds of people by showcasing his technical skills, which allowed him to give an arguably perfect performance every time he played. Gladstone is also known for manufacturing some of the finest snare instruments of the time, noted for their quality and attention to detail.
Kenny Clarke helped create the genre of "bop" (or "bebop") in the 1940s. He showcased his skill during legendary after-hours musical sessions, where he would awe audiences with his masterful use of the sticks. His playing in these sessions gave him the nickname "Klook-Mop," due to the sensational beats he would play behind soloists. He had the honor of playing with such legends as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, and is regarded as one of the great drummers of the 1940s.