Idris Muhammad ( ar, إدريس محمد; born Leo Morris; November 13, 1939 – July 29, 2014) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a majo ...

drummer A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drums. Most contemporary western bands that play rock, pop, jazz, or R&B music include a drummer for purposes including timekeeping and embellishing the musical timbre. The drummer' ...

and

bandleader A bandleader is the leader of a music group such as a rock or pop band or jazz quartet. The term is most commonly used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues o ...

. He had an extensive career performing jazz, funk, R&B, and

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun '':wikt:soul, soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The ea ...

music and recorded with musicians such as

Ahmad Jamal Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones, July 2, 1930) is an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator. For six decades, he has been one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. Biography Early life Jamal was born Fr ...

Lou Donaldson Lou Donaldson (born November 1, 1926) is an American retired jazz alto saxophonist. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily i ...

Pharoah Sanders Pharoah Sanders (born Ferrell Lee Sanders; October 13, 1940 – September 24, 2022) was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of " sheets of sound", S ...

, Bob James, and

Tete Montoliu Vicenç Montoliu i Massana, better known as Tete Montoliu (28 March 1933 – 24 August 1997) was a Spanish jazz pianist from Catalonia, Spain. Born blind, he learnt braille music at age seven. His styles varied from hard bop, through afro-Cuban, ...

Biography

Born Leo Morris in

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans

13th Ward in a home next door to a dry cleaner’s shop. He later would claim the sound of the shop’s steam presser influenced his

hi-hat A hi-hat (hihat, high-hat, etc.) is a combination of two cymbals and a pedal, all mounted on a metal stand. It is a part of the standard drum kit used by drummers in many styles of music including rock, pop, jazz, and blues. Hi-hats consist ...

technique. Growing up, he spent time with fellow New Orleanians

The Neville Brothers The Neville Brothers were an American R&B/soul/ funk group, formed in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. History The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art (1937–2019), Charles (1938–2018), Aaron (b. ...

. Also interested in other instruments, he showed early talent as a percussionist, playing in a

Mardi Gras Mardi Gras (, ) refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Shrove Tuesday. is French for "F ...

parade at age 9. Muhammad asked

Paul Barbarin Adolphe Paul Barbarin (May 5, 1899 – February 17, 1969) was an American jazz drummer from New Orleans. Career Barbarin grew up in New Orleans in a family of musicians, including his father, three of his brothers, and his nephew (Danny Barker) ...

to teach him to read music but Barbarin, who thought he was already so talented, declined. At the age of 14, Muhammad began his professional career by performing with

The Hawketts The Hawketts were an American R&B combo from New Orleans, Louisiana who are best known for their 1954 recording of " Mardi Gras Mambo", a song that has become an iconic classic of the New Orleans Carnival celebration. The band's members hailed ...

on their iconic recording “

Mardi Gras Mambo "Mardi Gras Mambo" is a Mardi Gras-themed song written by Frankie Adams and Lou Welsch. The song's best known version was recorded in 1954 by the Hawketts, whose membership included Art Neville, a founding member of the Meters and the Neville ...

”. Two years later, in 1956, he played drums on Fats Domino's recording of "

Blueberry Hill "Blueberry Hill" is a popular American song published in 1940, best remembered for its 1950s rock and roll version by Fats Domino. The music was written by Vincent Rose, the lyrics by Larry Stock and Al Lewis. It was recorded six times in ...

". After being introduced by Joe Jones, Muhammad began touring with Sam Cooke. Later he played with

Jerry Butler Jerry Butler Jr. (born December 8, 1939) is an American soul singer-songwriter, producer, musician, and retired politician. He was the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group the Impressions, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in ...

and

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music.

in Chicago, working largely in

R'n'B Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly ...

, before moving to New York City in the mid-1960s. In New York, Muhammad became embedded in the jazz scene playing with

Kenny Dorham McKinley Howard "Kenny" Dorham (August 30, 1924 – December 5, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention or public ...

Horace Silver Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver (September 2, 1928 – June 18, 2014) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, particularly in the hard bop style that he helped pioneer in the 1950s. After playing tenor saxophone and piano at sc ...

and

Betty Carter Betty Carter (born Lillie Mae Jones; May 16, 1929 – September 26, 1998) was an American jazz singer known for her improvisational technique, scatting and other complex musical abilities that demonstrated her vocal talent and imaginative int ...

. He also played in the Apollo Theatre's house band. In 1967, he accepted a job in the orchestra for the initial off-Broadway production of ''Hair'' and stayed with the production when it moved to Broadway. During this time, Muhammad was also in the Prestige label’s house band and made over 150 recordings for the Prestige,

Blue Note In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical c ...

, and CTI labels among others. He recorded with artists such as Lou Donaldson and Charles Earland who had begun merging jazz with sounds from funk, soul and rock. Muhammad also appeared as a sideman with artists such as

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

Nat Adderley Nathaniel Carlyle Adderley (November 25, 1931 – January 2, 2000) was an American jazz trumpeter. He was the younger brother of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, whom he supported and played with for many years. Adderley's composition ...

, and

George Benson George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist. A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, pla ...

Rudy Van Gelder Rudolph Van Gelder (November 2, 1924 – August 25, 2016) was an American recording engineer who specialized in jazz. Over more than half a century, he recorded several thousand sessions, with musicians including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelon ...

often worked with Muhammad and had a special relationship with him. The producer greatly assisted with fine tuning Muhammad's recorded drum sound. After four years with ''Hair'', Muhammad left the production to tour with

Roberta Flack Roberta Cleopatra Flack (born February 10, 1937) is a retired American singer. She topped the ''Billboard'' charts with the No. 1 singles " The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", " Killing Me Softly with His Song", " Feel Like Makin' Love", " W ...

whom he worked with for much of the next decade. Muhammad’s first recording as a leader, ''

Black Rhythm Revolution! ''Black Rhythm Revolution!'' is the first album by the jazz drummer Idris Muhammad. It was recorded in 1970 and released by Prestige Records the following year. Reception Stewart Mason of AllMusic wrote: "''Black Rhythm Revolution'' is not a bad ...

'', was released by Prestige in 1970 and was followed by ''

Peace and Rhythm ''Peace and Rhythm'' is the second album led by jazz drummer Idris Muhammad which was recorded for the Prestige label in 1971. Subsequent albums released on the

Kudu The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus ''Tragelaphus'': * Lesser kudu, ''Tragelaphus imberbis'', of eastern Africa * Greater kudu, ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'', of eastern and southern Africa The two species look similar, thoug ...

imprint, '' Power of Soul'', ''

House of the Rising Sun A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...

'', and ''

Turn This Mutha Out ''Turn This Mutha Out'' is a 1977 album by Idris Muhammad. Produced and arranged by CTI/Kudu staff arranger David Matthews, it was aimed more at the R&B/dance market than the jazz market. One of only a few Kudu albums not produced by label own ...

,'' took a turn towards funk. These albums have subsequently become favourites of funk enthusiasts and have been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists. Towards the end of the 1970s, Muhammad joined Johnny Griffin's band and also spent time playing with

. By the 1980s, Muhammad had moved to Europe. He continued to regularly play and record, collaborating with the likes of

Chico Freeman Chico Freeman (born Earl Lavon Freeman Jr.; July 17, 1949) is a modern jazz tenor saxophonist and trumpeter and son of jazz saxophonist Von Freeman. He began recording as lead musician in 1976 with ''Morning Prayer'', won the New York Jazz Awar ...

and

Sonny Rollins Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (born September 7, 1930) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, he has recorded over sixty albums as ...

. In 2011 he moved back to New Orleans. He died of kidney failure in 2014, aged 74, and was buried according to Islamic burial traditions.

Personal life

He changed his name to Idris Muhammad in the 1960s upon his conversion to Islam. Speaking on his name change, he later noted in an interview with Modern Drummer magazine, "One guy told me that if I changed my name, I was going to have a problem because no one would know that Leo Morris and Idris Muhammad were the same guy...But I thought, well, if I stay the same person, then people will know it’s me. And it worked like that. Everybody knew right away that it was me, because of my style of playing.” In 1966, he married singer

Dolores "LaLa" Brooks Dolores Brooks (born June 20, 1947) is the second lead singer of the girl group the Crystals. She is best known as the lead vocalist on the Crystals' hits "Then He Kissed Me" and "Da Doo Ron Ron". Biography Brooks was the second youngest of 11 c ...

, a former member of

the Crystals The Crystals are an American vocal group that originated in New York City. Considered one of the defining acts of the girl group era in the first half of the 1960s, their 1961–1964 chart hits – including " There's No Other (Like My Baby)" ...

. She converted to Islam with him and went for a time by the name Sakinah Muhammad. They separated in 1999. Together, they had two sons and two daughters; he also had a daughter from his first marriage to Gracie Lee Edwards. One son, also named Idris Muhammed, is a professional chef who has appeared on several cooking competition shows including ''

Beat Bobby Flay ''Beat Bobby Flay'' is an American cooking competition show on the Food Network. It features various chefs competing against Bobby Flay. The show is taped in front of a live audience. Format In the first round, two guests, often a celebrity che ...

'' and '' Chopped''. Muhammad endorsed

Istanbul Agop Cymbals Istanbul Agop Cymbals is a cymbal producer based in Turkey. Its products are well respected for their unique sound, which is formed by the method and the alloy used, the formula of which is known only to the owners of the firm, Armenians Arman an ...

Discography

As leader

* 1970: ''

'' (

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnett ...

) * 1971: ''

Peace and Rhythm ''Peace and Rhythm'' is the second album led by jazz drummer Idris Muhammad which was recorded for the Prestige label in 1971.Power of Soul'' (

) * 1976: ''

'' (Kudu) * 1977: ''

'' (Kudu) * 1978: ''Boogie to the Top'' (Kudu) * 1978: ''You Ain't No Friend of Mine'' (

Fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama ...

) * 1979: ''Foxhuntin' '' (Fantasy) * 1980: ''Make It Count'' (Fantasy) * 1980: '' Kabsha'' (

Theresa Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name. It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or rea ...

) * 1992: ''My Turn'' (Lipstick) * 1998: ''Right Now'' (Cannonball)

As sideman

With

*'' Calling Out Loud'' (CTI, 1968) With Eric Alexander *''

Solid! ''Solid!'' is an album by Eric Alexander, with John Hicks, George Mraz, and Idris Muhammad. Background "Anticipating Prestige's 50th anniversary in 1999, producer Todd Barkan combed the files to find out which were the label's most successful r ...

'' (Milestone, 1998) With

* ''

The Black Cat! ''The Black Cat!'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons, recorded in 1970 and released on the Prestige label.You Talk That Talk!'' (Prestige, 1971) * ''

My Way "My Way" is a song popularized in 1969 by Frank Sinatra set to the music of the French song " Comme d'habitude" composed by Jacques Revaux with lyrics by Gilles Thibaut and Claude François and first performed in 1967 by Claude François. Its ...

'' (Prestige, 1971) * ''

Got My Own ''Got My Own'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1972 and released on the Prestige label.Big Bad Jug ''Big Bad Jug'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1972 and released on the Prestige label.George Benson George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist. A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, pla ...

*'' Goodies'' (Verve, 1968) * '' Tell It Like It Is'' (A&M, 1969) * ''

The Other Side of Abbey Road ''The Other Side of Abbey Road'' is a 1970 studio album by American guitarist George Benson of songs from the Beatles' 1969 album ''Abbey Road''. It was his last album for A&M Records. The front cover is a photograph of Benson by Eric Meola in ...

'' (A&M, 1969) With

Walter Bishop, Jr. Walter Bishop Jr. (October 4, 1927 – January 24, 1998) was an American jazz pianist. Early life Bishop was born in New York City on October 4, 1927.Greene, Philip; Kernfeld, Barr"Bishop, Walter Jr." ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'' (2nd ed ...

*'' Bish Bash'' (Xanadu, 1968

975 Year 975 ( CMLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor John I raids Mesopotamia and invades Syria, usi ...

*''

Coral Keys ''Coral Keys'' is an album led by pianist Walter Bishop Jr. which was recorded in 1971 and originally released on the Black Jazz label.Bobby Broom Robert Broom Jr. (born January 18, 1961) is an American jazz guitarist, composer, and educator. He was born and raised in New York City, then moved to Chicago, which has been his home town since 1984. He performs and records with The Bobby Broom ...

* ''Modern Man'' (Delmark, 2001) With

Rusty Bryant Royal Gordon "Rusty" Bryant (November 25, 1929 – March 25, 1991) was an American jazz tenor and alto saxophonist. Biography Bryant was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, becoming a fixture of the local jazz scen ...

*''

Soul Liberation ''Soul Liberation'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Rusty Bryant recorded for the Prestige label in 1970.Fire Eater Fire eating is the act of putting a flaming object into the mouth and extinguishing it. A fire eater can be an entertainer, a street performer, part of a sideshow or a circus act but has also been part of spiritual tradition in India. Physi ...

'' (Prestige, 1971) *''

Wild Fire Wildfire is a fire in an area of combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or rural areas. Wildfire or Wild Fire may also refer to: People * "Wildfire", Chippewa name of sculptor Edmonia Lewis (c. 1844–1907) Arts, entertainment, ...

'' (Prestige, 1971) With

George Coleman George Edward Coleman (born March 8, 1935) is an American jazz saxophonist known for his work with Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock in the 1960s. In 2015, he was named an NEA Jazz Master. Early life Coleman was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He was ...

*''

Manhattan Panorama ''Manhattan Panorama'' is a live album led by saxophonist George Coleman recorded in 1985 at the Village Vanguard and released on the Theresa label.Hank Crawford Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford, Jr. (December 21, 1934 – January 29, 2009) was an American alto saxophonist, arranger and songwriter whose genres ranged from R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, and soul jazz. Crawford was musical director for Ray Charles ...

*''

Help Me Make it Through the Night "Help Me Make It Through The Night" is a country music ballad written and composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album '' Kristofferson''. It was covered later in 1970 by Sammi Smith, on the album '' Help Me Make It Through th ...

'' (Kudu, 1972) *''

Wildflower A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant probably is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is in any way different from the ...

'' (Kudu, 1973) *''

I Hear a Symphony "I Hear a Symphony" is a 1965 song recorded by the Supremes for the Motown label. Written and produced by Motown's main production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song became their sixth number-one pop hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 pop ...

'' (Kudu, 1975) *''

Tight Tight may refer to: Clothing * Skin-tight garment, a garment that is held to the skin by elastic tension * Tights, a type of leg coverings fabric extending from the waist to feet * Tightlacing, the practice of wearing a tightly-laced corset ...

'' (Milestone, 1996) With

Paul Desmond Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 – May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer, best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group's biggest hit, " Take Five". He ...

* '' Summertime'' (A&M/CTI, 1968) With

Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New O ...

* ''Blueberry Hill'' (1965) With

* '' Fried Buzzard'' (

Cadet A cadet is an officer trainee or candidate. The term is frequently used to refer to those training to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. Its meaning may vary between countries which can include youths in ...

, 1965) * '' Blowing in the Wind'' (Cadet, 1966) * '' Lou Donaldson At His Best'' (Cadet, 1966) * ''

Alligator Bogaloo ''Alligator Bogaloo'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Melvin Lastie, Lonnie Smith, George Benson, and Leo Morris (later to be better known as Idris Muhammad). Th ...

'' (

, 1967) * ''

Mr. Shing-A-Ling ''Mr. Shing-A-Ling'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Ponder, and Leo Morris (better known as Idris Muhammad).Midnight Creeper ''Midnight Creeper'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, George Benson, and Leo Morris. Reception The album was awarded 4 stars ...

'' (Blue Note, 1968) * ''

Say It Loud! ''Say It Loud!'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Charles Earland, Jimmy Ponder, and Leo Morris. Reception The album was awarded 1½ stars in an All ...

'' (Blue Note, 1968) * ''

Hot Dog A hot dog (uncommonly spelled hotdog) is a food consisting of a grilled or steamed sausage served in the slit of a partially sliced bun. The term hot dog can refer to the sausage itself. The sausage used is a wiener ( Vienna sausage) or a f ...

'' (Blue Note, 1969) * ''

Everything I Play is Funky ''Everything I Play is Funky'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Lewis and Idris Muhammad and two tracks with Eddie Williams ...

'' (Blue Note, 1970) * ''

Pretty Things The Pretty Things were an English band formed in September 1963 in Sidcup, Kent. They took their name from Willie Dixon's 1955 song " Pretty Thing". A pure rhythm and blues band in their early years, with several singles charting in the Uni ...

'' (Blue Note, 1970) * '' The Scorpion'' (Blue Note, 1970) * ''

Cosmos The cosmos (, ) is another name for the Universe. Using the word ''cosmos'' implies viewing the universe as a complex and orderly system or entity. The cosmos, and understandings of the reasons for its existence and significance, are studied in ...

'' (Blue Note, 1971) * ''

Sweet Poppa Lou ''Sweet Poppa Lou'' is a 1981 album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his first recording for the Muse label, featuring Donaldson's quartet with Herman Foster, Calvin Hill, Idris Muhammad, and additional percussion on three tracks by Ralph Dors ...

'' (

Muse In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...

, 1981) With Charles Earland *''

Black Talk! ''Black Talk!'' is an album by organist Charles Earland which was recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label.Grant Green Grant Green (June 6, 1935 – January 31, 1979) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Recording prolifically for Blue Note Records as both leader and sideman, Green performed in the hard bop, soul jazz, bebop, and Latin-tinged idioms ...

* '' Carryin' On'' (Blue Note, 1969) * ''

Green Is Beautiful ''Green Is Beautiful'' is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1970 and released on the Blue Note Records, Blue Note label.

'' (Blue Note, 1970) * '' Alive!'' (Blue Note, 1970) * '' Live at Club Mozambique'' (Blue Note 2006, recorded 1971) With

Johnny Griffin John Arnold Griffin III (April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin's career began in the mid-1940s and continued until the month of ...

*'' NYC Underground'' (Galaxy, 1979 981 *''

To the Ladies ''To the Ladies'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and released by Paramount Pictures. It is based on a 1922 Broadway play, ''To the Ladies'', by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly. The film was directed b ...

'' (Galaxy, 1979

982 Year 982 ( CMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Emperor Otto II (the Red) assembles an imperial expeditionary force at ...

With

Roy Hargrove Roy Anthony Hargrove (October 16, 1969 – November 2, 2018) was an American jazz musician and composer whose principal instruments were the trumpet and flugelhorn. He achieved worldwide acclaim after winning two Grammy Awards for differing styles ...

* ''

Habana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

'' (Verve, 1997) With

Benjamin Herman Benjamin Herman (London, 9 May 1968) is a Dutch jazz musician. He is best known as an alto saxophonist and as leader of the jazz band New Cool Collective. Herman also plays the C-melody saxophone and flute. He also has a radio show on Radio 6 ...

* ''Get In'' (1999) With

John Hicks Sir John Richards Hicks (8 April 1904 – 20 May 1989) was a British economist. He is considered one of the most important and influential economists of the twentieth century. The most familiar of his many contributions in the field of economic ...

*'' Some Other Time'' (Theresa, 1981) *'' In Concert'' (Theresa, 1984

986 Year 986 ( CMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * August 17 – Battle of the Gates of Trajan: Emperor Basil II leads a By ...

*''

Inc. 1 ''Inc. 1'' is an album by pianist John Hicks's Trio recorded in Japan in 1985 and released on the Japanese DIW label.

'' (DIW, 1985) *''

I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By ''I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By'' is an album led by pianist John Hicks, recorded in 1987. Recording and music The album was recorded in Monster, The Netherlands, on March 12, 1987. The musicians were pianist John Hicks, bassist Cu ...

'' (Limetree, 1987) *'' Is That So?'' (Timeless, 1991) With Andrew Hill * ''

Grass Roots A grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at t ...

'' (Blue Note, 1968) With

Richard "Groove" Holmes Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes (May 2, 1931 – June 29, 1991) was an American jazz organist who performed in the hard bop and soul jazz genre. He is best known for his 1965 recording of "Misty". Career Holmes's first album, on Pacific Ja ...

*''

Shippin' Out ''Shippin' Out'' is an album by jazz organist Groove Holmes recorded in 1977 and released on the Groove Merchant label the following year.Fitzgera;ld,M. & Zielgler, FMuse Records listingaccessed February 8, 2019 Reception Allmusic's Scott Ya ...

'' (Muse, 1978) With

Freddie Hubbard Frederick Dewayne Hubbard (April 7, 1938 – December 29, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter. He played bebop, hard bop, and post-bop styles from the early 1960s onwards. His unmistakable and influential tone contributed to new perspectives f ...

* ''

New Colors ''New Colors'' is an album by jazz musician Freddie Hubbard recorded in 2000 and released on the Hip Bop Essence label in 2001. Track listing # "One of Another Kind" - 8:00 # "Blue Spirits" - 9:03 # "Blues for Miles" - 6:31 # "Dizzy's Conn ...

'' (Hip Bop Essence, 2001) With

Bobbi Humphrey Barbara Ann "Bobbi" Humphrey (born April 25, 1950) is an American jazz flautist and singer who plays jazz fusion, funk, and soul-jazz. She has recorded twelve albums and founded the jazz label Paradise Sounds Records. In 1971, she was the first ...

* ''

Flute In ''Flute In'' is the debut album by American jazz flautist Bobbi Humphrey, recorded in 1971 and released on the Blue Note label.

'' (Blue Note, 1971) With Willis Jackson *'' Bar Wars'' (Muse, 1977) With

* ''

The Essence Part One ''The Essence Part One'' is an album by the American jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, containing performances recorded in Paris in 1994 and New York City in 1995. It was released on the Verve Records, Birdology label in 1995.Big Byrd: The Essence Part 2'' (Birdology, 1995) * '' Nature: The Essence Part Three'' (Birdology, 1997) * ''Picture Perfect'' (Birdology, 2000) * ''Ahmad Jamal 70th Birthday/Olympia 2000'' (Dreyfus, 2000) * ''In Search of Momentum'' (Dreyfus, 2002) * ''After Fajr'' (Dreyfus, 2005) *''It's Magic'' (Dreyfus, 2008) With Bob James * ''

One 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. ...

'' (CTI, 1974) * ''

Touchdown A touchdown (abbreviated as TD) is a scoring play in gridiron football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone. In Americ ...

'' (Tappan Zee, 1978) With

J. J. Johnson J.J. Johnson (January 22, 1924 – February 4, 2001), born James Louis Johnson and also known as Jay Jay Johnson, was an American jazz trombonist, composer and arranger. Johnson was one of the earliest trombonists to embrace bebop. Biograph ...

and Kai Winding * ''

Betwixt & Between ''Betwixt & Between'' is an album by American jazz trombonists Kai Winding and J. J. Johnson featuring performances recorded in 1968 and released on the CTI label.

'' (A&M/CTI, 1969) With

Etta Jones Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Her best-known recordings are "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me". She worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Ge ...

*'' My Mother's Eyes'' (Muse, 1977) *'' If You Could See Me Now'' (Muse, 1978) With Rodney Jones * ''Soul Manifesto'' (1991) With Keystone Trio * '' Heart Beats'' (1995) * '' Newklear Music'' (1997) With

Charles Kynard Charles Kynard (20 February 1933 – 8 July 1979) was an American soul jazz/ acid jazz organist born in St. Louis, Missouri. Kynard first played piano then switched to organ and led a trio in Kansas City including Tex Johnson (flute, sax) a ...

*''

Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People) ''Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People)'' is an album by organist Charles Kynard which was recorded in 1970 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1970) With

Joe Lovano Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz saxophonist, alto clarin ...

* ''

Friendly Fire In military terminology, friendly fire or fratricide is an attack by belligerent or neutral forces on friendly troops while attempting to attack enemy/hostile targets. Examples include misidentifying the target as hostile, cross-fire while e ...

'' (Blue Note, 1998) * '' Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination Edition Two'' (Blue Note, 2000) With

Johnny Lytle Johnny Dillard Lytle (October 13, 1932 in Springfield, Ohio – December 15, 1995 in Springfield) was a jazz drummer and vibraphonist. Life and career Lytle grew up in Springfield, Ohio in a family of musicians, the son of a trumpeter father ...

*''

Fast Hands ''Fast Hands'' is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Johnny Lytle which was recorded in 1980 for the Muse label.Good Vibes'' (Muse, 1982) With

Harold Mabern Harold Mabern Jr. (March 20, 1936 – September 17, 2019) was an American jazz pianist and composer, principally in the hard bop, post-bop, and soul jazz fields.Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (2007) ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz''. p. 42 ...

*'' Workin' & Wailin''' (Prestige, 1969) *''

Greasy Kid Stuff! ''Greasy Kid Stuff!'' is the fourth album led by pianist Harold Mabern which was recorded in 1970 and released on the Prestige label.Roberto Magris Roberto Magris (born 19 June 1959) is an Italian jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Early life Magris was born in Trieste, Italy, on 19 June 1959. He had piano lessons between the ages of four and sixteen. He became interested in jazz after h ...

* ''

Mating Call A mating call is the auditory signal used by animals to attract mates. It can occur in males or females, but literature is abundantly favored toward researching mating calls in females. In addition, mating calls are often the subject of mate choi ...

'' (JMood, 2010) With

Jimmy McGriff James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008) was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader. Biography Early years and influences Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, United States, McGriff started playing pi ...

* ''

City Lights ''City Lights'' is a 1931 American silent romantic comedy film written, produced, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The story follows the misadventures of Chaplin's Tramp as he falls in love with a blind girl ( Virginia Cherrill) an ...

'' (JAM, 1981) With

*'' Catalonian Rhapsody'' (Alfa, 1992) With Tisziji Munoz * ''Visiting This Planet'' (Anami Music * ''Hearing Voices'' (Anami Music) With

David "Fathead" Newman David "Fathead" Newman (February 24, 1933 – January 20, 2009) was an American jazz and Rhythm and blues, rhythm-and-blues saxophonist, who made numerous recordings as a session musician and leader, but is best known for his work as a sideman on ...

*''

Concrete Jungle Concrete jungle may refer to: Music Albums * ''Concrete Jungle'' (David "Fathead" Newman album), 1977 * ''Concrete Jungle'' (Dive album), or the title song, 1993 * ''Concrete Jungle'' (Nneka album), 2010 * ''Concrete Jungle'' (Scorcher album) ...

'' (Prestige, 1978) *'' Keep the Dream Alive'' (Prestige, 1978) With Don Patterson *'' Why Not...'' (Muse, 1978) With

Houston Person Houston Person (born November 10, 1934) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the ...

*'' Person to Person!'' (Prestige, 1970) *'' The Real Thing'' (Eastbound, 1973) *''

Wild Flower A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant probably is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is in any way different from the w ...

'' (Muse, 1977) With

Ernest Ranglin Ernest Ranglin (born 19 June 1932) is a Jamaican guitarist and composer who established his career while working as a session guitarist and music director for various Jamaican record labels including Studio One and Island Records. Ranglin pla ...

* ''Below the Bassline'' (

Island An island or isle is a piece of subcontinental land completely surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island in a river or a lake island may be ...

, 1998) With Roots *''Stablemates'' (In+Out, 1993) With

* ''

Jewels of Thought ''Jewels of Thought'' is an album by the American jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. It was recorded at Plaza Sound Studios in New York City on October 20, 1969, and was released on Impulse! Records in the same year. The 1998 reissue merged "Sun In ...

'' (

Impulse! Impulse! Records (occasionally styled as "¡mpulse! Records" and "¡!") is an American jazz record company and label established by Creed Taylor in 1960. John Coltrane was among Impulse!'s earliest signings. Thanks to consistent sales and positiv ...

, 1969) * ''

Journey to the One ''Journey to the One'' is a double album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1979 and released on the Theresa label. Reception In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow commented: "As usual, Sanders shifts between spiritual peace and v ...

'' (Theresa, 1980) *'' Pharoah Sanders Live...'' (Theresa, 1982) * ''

Heart is a Melody ''Heart is a Melody'' is a live album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1982 and released on the Theresa label.

'' (Theresa, 1982) * ''

Shukuru ''Shukuru'' is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1981 and released on the Theresa label in 1985.Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

'' (Timeless, 1987) With

John Scofield John Scofield (born December 26, 1951), sometimes referred to as "Sco", is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in ...

* ''

Groove Elation ''Groove Elation'' is an album by the jazz guitarist John Scofield, released in 1995. It features keyboardist Larry Goldings, bassist Dennis Irwin, percussionist Don Alias and drummer Idris Muhammad, as well as a four piece horn section led by trum ...

'' (Blue Note, 1995) With

Shirley Scott Shirley Scott (March 14, 1934 – March 10, 2002) was an American jazz organist. Her music was noted for its mixture of bebop, blues and gospel elements. She was known by the nickname "Queen of the Organ". Life and career Scott was born in Ph ...

* '' Lean on Me'' (Cadet, 1972) With Lonnie Smith * ''

Turning Point A turning point, or climax, is the point of highest tension in a narrative work. Turning Point or Turning Points may refer to: Film * ''The Turning Point'', a 1914 silent film starring Caroline Cooke * ''The Turning Point'' (1920 film), an Amer ...

'' (Blue Note, 1969) With

Melvin Sparks Melvin Sparks (March 22, 1946 – March 15, 2011) was an American soul jazz, hard bop and jazz blues guitarist. He recorded a number of albums for Prestige Records, later recording for Savant Records. He appeared on several recordings with mus ...

*''

Sparks! ''Sparks!'' is the debut album by soul jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks recorded for the Prestige label in 1970.Spark Plug A spark plug (sometimes, in British English, a sparking plug, and, colloquially, a plug) is a device for delivering electric current from an ignition system to the combustion chamber of a spark-ignition engine to ignite the compressed fuel/air ...

'' (Prestige, 1971) *'' Akilah!'' (Prestige, 1972) With

Leon Spencer Leon Spencer (November 1, 1945 – March 11, 2012) was an American jazz organist from Houston, Texas. He played piano with David Newman and organ with Melvin Sparks. Spencer recorded for Prestige in the early 1970s with Buddy Caldwell, Idris Muha ...

* ''

Sneak Preview! ''Sneak Preview!'' is the debut album by jazz organist Leon Spencer, Jr. recorded for the Prestige label in 1970.

'' (Prestige, 1970) * ''

Louisiana Slim ''Louisiana Slim'' is the second album by jazz organist Leon Spencer recorded for the Prestige label in 1971.Bad Walking Woman ''Bad Walking Woman'' is the third album by jazz organist Leon Spencer recorded for the Prestige label in 1972.Where I'm Coming From ''Where I'm Coming From'' is the 13th album by Stevie Wonder. The album was released by Motown Records on April 9, 1971 and peaked on the Billboard Pop Albums at #62, and on the ''Billboard'' R&B Albums Chart at #7. All nine songs were written ...

'' (Prestige, 1972) With Bob Stewart *'' First Line'' (JMT, 1988) With

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/ hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of hi ...

* '' Turn It On!'' (Prestige, 1971) * ''

Black Vibrations ''Black Vibrations'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.Goin' Down Slow "Goin' Down Slow" or "Going Down Slow" is a blues song composed by American blues singer St. Louis Jimmy Oden. It is considered a blues standard and "one of the most famous blues of all". "Goin' Down Slow" has been recorded by many blues an ...

'' (Prestige, 1972) With

Gábor Szabó Gábor István Szabó (March 8, 1936 – February 26, 1982) was a Hungarian American guitarist whose style incorporated jazz, pop, rock, and Hungarian music. Early years Szabó was born in Budapest, Hungary. He began playing guitar at the ag ...

* ''

Macho Machismo (; ; ; ) is the sense of being " manly" and self-reliant, a concept associated with "a strong sense of masculine pride: an exaggerated masculinity". Machismo is a term originating in the early 1930s and 1940s best defined as hav ...

'' (Salvation, 1975) With

Stanley Turrentine Stanley William Turrentine (April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic and later soul jazz recording for the Blue Note label from 1960, touched on jazz fusion dur ...

*''

Common Touch ''Common Touch'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine featuring Shirley Scott recorded for the Blue Note Records, Blue Note label in 1968 and performed by Turrentine with Shirley Scott, Jimmy Ponder, Bob Cranshaw and Leo Morris. The ...

'' (Blue Note, 1968) *''

The Man with the Sad Face ''The Man with the Sad Face'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Fantasy label in 1976 and featuring performances by Turrentine with an orchestra arranged and conducted by David Van De Pitte.Randy Weston Randolph Edward "Randy" Weston (April 6, 1926 – September 1, 2018) was an American jazz pianist and composer whose creativity was inspired by his ancestral African connection. Weston's piano style owed much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious M ...

* ''Portraits of Duke Ellington'' (Verve, 1989) * ''Portraits of Thelonious Monk'' (Verve, 1989) * ''Self Portraits'' (Verve, 1989) * ''

Spirits of Our Ancestors ''The Spirits Of Our Ancestors'' is an album by pianist Randy Weston that was recorded in 1991 and issued on the Verve label. While all of the compositions (with the exception of one traditional Moroccan song) were composed by Weston himself, the ...

'' (Verve, 1991) With

Reuben Wilson Reuben Wilson (born April 9, 1935) is a jazz organist. He performs soul jazz and acid jazz, and is best known for his title track "Got to Get Your Own". He was born in Mounds, Oklahoma and his family moved to Pasadena when he was 5. He played in ...

* '' Love Bug'' (Blue Note, 1969)

Sampled

* Beastie Boys, ''

Paul's Boutique ''Paul's Boutique'' is the second studio album by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, by Capitol Records. Produced by the Dust Brothers, the album is composed almost entirely from samples, and was recorded over two ...

'', " To All the Girls" (Capitol, 1989)

References

External links

Interview in Allaboutjazz

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammad, Idris 1939 births 2014 deaths African-American drummers American funk drummers American male drummers American jazz drummers Jazz musicians from New Orleans African-American Muslims Soul-jazz musicians Converts to Islam Prestige Records artists Fantasy Records artists American session musicians American expatriates in Austria American expatriates in the United Kingdom American male jazz musicians CTI Records artists 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people