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Ahmad Alaadeen
(born in July 24, 1934) is a jazz saxophonist and educator from Kansas City who has a career spanning over five decades.
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AHMAD ALAADEEN TICKETS
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Education
Primarily known by his surname, Alaadeen was a student of Leo H. Davis in Kansas City. He began performing professionally at the age of 14, but would later study formally at the
Kansas City Conservatory of Music,
St. Mary's College and Chicago's
DePaul University. He also spent significant periods of time living in
New York,
Chicago,
Denver,
St. Louis and
San Antonio. Alaadeen is a veteran of the
US military music program, where he served as a member of the 4th US Army Band as featured jazz saxophonist and principal
oboist in the organization's wind ensemble.
Career
Since 1949, Alaadeen has played with many of the greatest names in music; starting with
Jazz and
Blues legends
Billie Holiday,
Miles Davis,
Jay McShann,
Ella Fitzgerald, The
Count Basie Orchestra, The
Duke Ellington Orchestra,
Eddie Vinson, right up through Motown stars
Gladys Knight,
Smokey Robinson,
The Temptations and
Sam Cooke. Along the way, he has won awards including
Billboard songwriting competitions for several of his original compositions. In 1996, his ensemble was picked as Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Band.
Influence
Alaadeen is recognized in his community and state as a master of the distinctive sound known as with his receipt of the Jazz Heritage Award, the and the Missouri Arts Award. The Missouri Arts Council and the Mid-America Arts Alliance have awarded grants to Alaadeen and Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc. He is included in both organizations' Touring Artist Rosters.
In addition to performing with his jazz ensembles, Alaadeen continues to work as a significant . He epitomizes the term "standard bearer" not only in his own playing, but also in the teaching and nurturing of emerging artists. Recently, he was inducted into the RT Coles/Lincoln High School "Outstanding Alumni Hall of Fame". Additionally, Alaadeen served with distinction for 6 years as Board Chairman of the , located in the
18th and Vine Historic District of Kansas City.
Government recognition
On
October 12,
2000,
Congresswoman Karen McCarthy recognized Alaadeen in the
United States House of Representatives for the contributions he has made to his community's understanding of its heritage.
[Congressional Record: October 13, 2000 (Extensions)][Page E1781-E1782][DOCID:cr13oc00-48] See:
On
June 19,
2002,
Missouri Governor,
Bob Holden, honored Alaadeen at an official dinner at the Governor's Mansion in
Jefferson City. In an effort to acknowledge Alaadeen for making a significant impact in the
history, development and
performance of
Jazz, and to applaud Alaadeen for his outstanding achievements in the art form of Jazz, Alaadeen was issued a
Proclamation from the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri.
Current activities
Alaadeen has been developing several projects in the areas of
recording,
composing and
publishing. Additionally, he continues to oversee the growth, operations and management of '
ASR Records. Alaadeen remains an active performer while writing a method book and also preparing many of his original composition works for performance by large jazz ensemble through
Famous quote
"Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world." - Ahmad Alaadeen
Discography
- ''And The Beauty Of It All (2007; ASR Records)
- ''New Africa Suite (2005; ASR Records)
- ''Time Through The Ages (1997; ASR Records)
as
Alaadeen and the Deans of Swing
- ''Plays Blues For RC and Josephine, too (1995; ASR Records)
as
Alaadeen and the Deans of Swing
- ''Live Jazz On The Plaza (1991; ASR Records)
References and further information