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Rashied Ali

Until his untimely death in 2009, Rashied Ali was widely regarded as the doyen of free jazz drummers. Alyn Shipton picks his best recordings with the help of an archive interview.

Until his untimely death in 2009, Rashied Ali was widely regarded as the doyen of free jazz drummers. He made his name in John Coltrane's quartet and went on to a wide range of musical activity in the forty-two years since Coltrane's death.

More of a colourist than a rhythm player, Rashied Ali changed the role of jazz drumming for ever. In a candid interview with Alyn Shipton he explains the importance of John Coltrane to his life and work, and selects the finest records they made together, before also selecting highlights of his discs with Marion Brown, Archie Shepp, Eddie Henderson and his own bands.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 4 Apr 2010 00:00

Clip

Music Played

  • Rashied Ali Quintet

    Lourana

    Composer: Clark Performers: Rashied Ali - drums, Joris Teepe - bass, Greg Murphy - piano, Lawrence Clark - sax, Josh Evans - trumpet.

    • Live in Europe.
    • Survival.
    • 126.
  • John Coltrane

    Compassion

    Composer: Coltrane Performers: John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, ts; McCoy Tyner, p; Jimmy Garrison, b; Elvin Jones, d; Rashied Ali, d. 23 Nov 1965

    • Meditations.
    • Impulse.
    • 11992.
  • Archie Shepp

    The Mac Man

    Composer: Shepp Performers: Archie Shepp, ts; Bobby Hutcherson, vib; Henry Grimes, b; Rashied Ali, d; Ed Blackwell, rhythm logs. 12 August 1965.

    • On This Night.
    • Impulse.
    • GRP 11252.
  • John Coltrane

    Peace on Earth (opening)

    Composer: Coltrane Performers: John Coltrane, ts; Alice Coltrane, p; Jimmy Garrison, b; Rashied Ali, d. 22 July 1966.

    • Live in Japan Vol 1.
    • Impulse.
    • 55XD5734 CD 1.
  • John Coltrane

    Venus

    Composer: Coltrane Performers: John Coltrane, ts; Rashied Ali, perc. 22 Feb 1967.

    • Interstellar Space.
    • Impulse.
    • GRP 11102.
  • John Coltrane

    Manifestation

    Composer: Coltrane Performers: John Coltrane, ts; Pharoah Sanders, ts, fl; Alice Coltrane, p; Jimmy Garrison, b; Rashied Ali drums. Ray Appleton, percussion, Feb 2, 1966.

    • Cosmic Music.
    • Impulse.
    • 515.
  • Marion Brown

    Why Not

    Composer: Brown Performers: Marion Brown, as; Stanley Cowell, p; Norris Jones, b; Rashied Ali, d. 1966.

    • Why Not.
    • ESP Disk.
    • 1040.
  • Eddie Jefferson with Rashied Ali's Quintet

    Pennies from Heaven

    Composer: Burke/Johnson Performers: Eddie Jefferson, voc; Benny Wilson, b; Marvin Blackman, ts; Marsha Frazier, p; Rashied Ali, d. Rec 1976.

    • At Ali's Alley.
    • Blue Music.
    • 884502153941.
  • Rashied Ali with Prima Materia

    Iris

    Composer: Coltrane Performers: Allan Chase, ts; Louis Belogenis, ts; Greg Murphy, p; Wilber Morris, b; Rashied Ali, d. 2009.

    • Configurations - The Music of John Coltrane.
    • Blue Music.
    • 884502153958.

Broadcasts

  • Sat 24 Oct 2009 16:00
  • Sun 4 Apr 2010 00:00

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