Alaadeen
Jazz saxophonist, composer, educator, writer
July 24, 1934 - August 15, 2010
Alaadeen, who is equally skilled and original on tenor and soprano saxophones, has made a major impact on the Kansas City jazz scene.
Born in Kansas City, on July 24, 1934, Alaadeen grew up around music. “I listened to all types of styles. I went to Philharmonic concerts, loved Lester Young, liked T-Bone Walker and was crazy about Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson.” He began on the saxophone when he was in sixth grade, in time also mastering flute, clarinet and oboe. Alaadeen took important lessons from Leo H. Davis, a well-respected music teacher, questionably reported to have taught Charlie Parker. “The way he taught improvisation was to sing the melody in my ear when I soloed so I’d always keep the melody in mind.” Alaadeen debuted as a professional with Davis’ concert band playing e-flat horn when he was 14 and his first major job was playing baritone sax with the great pianist-bandleader Jay McShann. In later years he would rejoin McShann on tenor.
Alaadeen studied at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music (studying flute since the educators did not think of the saxophone as a legitimate instrument), St. Mary’s College (where he studied oboe) and DePaul University. He served in the military during 1957-59, being the jazz saxophonist and principle oboist with the 4th Army Band. After his discharge, Alaadeen spent time in Chicago, playing in a program led by pianist-composer Richard Abrams that was the beginning of the AACM; other members included trumpeter Lester Bowie and bassist Malachi Favors.
The saxophonist picked up a lot of experience living and playing in such cities as New York, Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Antonio and St. Louis. In addition to McShann, he had opportunities to work in a countless number of settings including stints with Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, The Glen Miller ghost band under the direction of Tex Beneke, Della Reese, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, T-Bone Walker, Claude “Fiddler” Williams and with R&B stars, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Four Tops and Sam Cooke.
After returning to Kansas City, Alaadeen not only played music locally but also became a very significant educator, teaching jazz in both the school system and privately. “I always tell my students that playing jazz is a hard life, that it is important to always study and be current, and that they should not be afraid to make mistakes.” His skills as a teacher were recognized when he was inducted into the RT Coles/Lincoln High School “Outstanding Alumni Hall Of Fame.” During 1990-91, he won songwriting competitions sponsored by Billboard for his songs “Big Six” and “Blues For R.C.” Along the way he recorded with Jay McShann, Crown Prince Waterford, the City Light Orchestra and countless others. He led the Deans of Swing in the 1990s and the ensemble was picked in 1996 as Musician Magazine’s Best Unsigned Band. On October12, 2000, Congresswoman Karen McCarthy recognized Alaadeen in the United States House of Representatives for the contributions he made to his community's understanding of its Jazz heritage. In 2002, at an official dinner applauding him for his outstanding achievements in the art form of Jazz, he was issued a Proclamation from the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri.
To document his music, Alaadeen started the ‘ASR label. Each of his CDs, which include Blues For RC and Josephine Too, Time Through The Ages and New Africa Suite, features him with some of Kansas City’s top young jazz players. And The Beauty Of It All has him heading a quintet that also includes pianist Harold O’Neal, bassist Seth Lee (both O’Neal and Lee were students of Alaadeen’s when they were in high school), drummer Brandon Draper and percussionist Ray Stewart. “For this CD, I tried to pick out all of the beautiful notes that I could muster up,” says Alaadeen. “This is not a CD for critics to pick apart or one that is exclusively for the musicians. It is for the everyday person to listen to and enjoy. I emphasize the melodies and I think women in particular will enjoy this album since there is a lot of feeling in it.” Scott Yanow writes about Alaadeen: “He has the ability to caress melodies with a great deal of warmth, yet is never shy to stretch himself and take chances, pushing the music forward.”
Alaadeen was the recipient of the Jazz Heritage Award, the Missouri Humanities Council’s Community Heritage Award, and the Missouri Arts Award. In 2006 he was presented Kansas City’s Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2010, he was honored with The American Jazz Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award.
AN OFFICIAL 'ASR RECORDS ARTIST MYSPACE.COM PAGE
LATEST RELEASE
The Rest Of The Story, Jazz Improvization and History manual. Written by Alaadeen
ARTIST INFORMATION
QUOTES FROM THE PRESS:
When I opened this unique book I was struck immediately by this very cogent passage in the Author's Introduction: "I feel that a musician should have a basic knowledge of what came before him and use this knowledge as a platform to build on." This book is indeed one such knowledge platform. Ahmad Alaadeen is a wise elder in this music we call jazz and young musicians would do well to devour the practical wisdom he lays down in The Rest Of The Story. Delivered in an unpretentious manner with requisite humility, the advice and lessons Alaadeen delivers in this book will be priceless in the development process of any musician who has the good fortune to encounter it. Willard Jenkins, journalist/broadcaster/producer
"New Africa Suite might be his most focused and passionate musical statement yet. All the music is original: The writing, ranging from the deep ballad Salaam, Shalom, Peace to the funky Beneath Where Rivers Flow, is consistently good, and the playing is even better. The last tune, The Jannah Now, is perhaps the most memorable thing that Alaadeen has written yet. The title refers to building a little bit of heaven on earth, with family and friends, and the song is pure joy." Joe Klopus - Kansas City Star Jazz Critic
Scott Yanow writes about Alaadeen: “He has the ability to caress melodies with a great deal of warmth, yet is never shy to stretch himself and take chances, pushing the music forward.”
Alaadeen is a true master musician, a professional in every aspect of the term, and a sincere gentleman. This is indeed a man who "has gained the respect of intelligent women and men, and the love of children" - significantly through his own love for the study and practice of music.
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ALAADEEN ON VIDEOVIDEO : Jazz In June [Lincoln, Nebraska]
Free MP3: The Burning Sand by Alaadeen
