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What an exotic way to spend six minutes! Thank you to my friend for introducing me to the fascinating sounds of Ahmed Abdul-Malik!!
Born Jonathan Tim, Jr in 1927, Ahmed Abdul-Malik was an American jazz double bassist and oud player. Revered and remembered for blending Middle Eastern and North African music styles in his jazz fusions, he was also a bass player for jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Earl Hines, Randy Weston and Thelonious Monk amongst others!
Introduced to music from a young age, Malik was first taught the violin by his father and when he was seven he attended the Vardi School of Music and Art and over time also took up the piano, bass and tuba. Music was always a constant in his life and before joining The High School of Music & Art he continued studying whilst having lessons with local bassist Franklin Skeete, Whilst at the school his exceptional skills on violin and viola earned him a spot in the All-City Orchestra!
Abdul-Malik was most active as a jazz musician from the mid-1950’s to the mid-1960’s. He recorded half a dozen albums as leader and his distinct amalgamation of styles always earned him recognition where he was often described as “refreshing” and original.
I love any musician with the boldness and imagination to experiment with sounds and styles and Ahmed Abdul-Malik did just this and with such power and ingenuity! Today’s song appeared on his 1961 record, The Music of Ahmed Abdul-Malik and was also released as a the b-side to his 1961 The Hustlers single – both of which were released on the New Jazz label….Listen above.
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