Artist description Alaadeen presents jazz with a decidedly Midwestern sensibility. No young lion, Alaadeen's music resonates with the experience of someone who has honed his craft with some of the giants of jazz and R&B. He is an inspired player, inventive composer and strong bandleader.

Music Style Jazz and Blues

Musical Influences John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Jay McShann

Artist History Primarily known as Alaadeen, the saxophonist was a student of Leo H. Davis, Charlie Parker's teacher. Later he studied at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, St. Mary's College and Chicago's DePaul University. Alaadeen spent periods of time living in New York, Chicago, Denver, St. Louis and San Antonio, but eventually settled back in his native Kansas City. Since 1950, Alaadeen has played his sax with all of the music greats, starting with Jazz and Blues legends Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Jay McShann, Ella Fitzgerald, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, right up through Motown stars Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Sam Cooke. Along the way, he has become a legend in his own right, winning a bevy of awards including "Missouri Artist of the Year", and the Jazz Heritage Award. He won songwriting competitions sponsored by Billboard for his compositions "Big Six", "Blues for R.C." and "Wayne Himself". In 1996, his ensemble was picked from over 3,000 bands to be Musician Magazine"s Best Unsigned Band. On October 12, 2000, Congress Woman Karen McCarthy honored Alaadeen in the United States House of Representatives. As recipient of the 2000 Missouri Governor"s Humanities Award, Alaadeen was recognized for the contributions he has made to his community"s understanding of its heritage. On June 19, 2002, Missouri"s Governor, Bob Holden, honored Alaadeen at an official dinner at the Governor"s Mansion in Jefferson City.

Instruments Tenor and Soprano Saxophones

Albums *Blues for RC and Josephine, Too. * Time Through The Ages

Press Reviews Jazz Times: "One of those Midwest gems whose stardom eludes because of geographics, Kansas City scene veteran saxophonist-composer-arranger Ahmad Alaadeen cuts a masterful swath through seven straight-ahead tunes of his second album. Neither overpowering nor understating his tenor and soprano saxisms, he shows swinging sensitivity, fresh and fluid articulation, and skillful arranging for settings from duet to sextet. Alaadeen is a distinctive mood-painter who uses a chromatic palette to enhance his explorations." ...Nancy Ann Lee, 12/97 / Cadence Magazine: "He is a particularly effective arranger of hard bop, and his compositions are carefully labored. He has a good ear and an ability to construct logical though slightly divaricated lines..." Steven A. Loewy

Location Kansas City, Missouri - USA

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