Ahmed Abdul-Malik

STATS Rank: 661 Views: 12,138

Born: January 30, 1927 Primary Instrument: Bass

Bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik was one of the first musicians to introduce Arabic music into jazz and the first to use the oud, a pear-shaped, traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument similar to a lute as a jazz instrument. He was born on January 30th 1927 to Sudanese parents in Brooklyn and grew up in the borough’s Arab neighborhood. According the most recent edition of the Rough Guide to Jazz he did not change his name to Ahmed Abdul-Malik in the mid- 50s but was given that name at birth. He started studying music at age 7; first violin then bass, piano and even tuba. His first jobs as a musician were when he was still a teenager and included symphony orchestras and different ethnic weddings. In the mid 1940s he was introduced to the jazz community through his friend Randy Weston and played bass in jazz and r&b bands. His most famous gig was as Thelonious Monk’s bassist. He started experimenting with the oud in the mid 50s and recorded on it with Johnny Griffin and with John Coltrane. He also cut a few records as a leader where he played the instrument. He also appeared on TV shows both as a bop bassist and with his own group playing Middle East influenced jazz on the oud. He headlined the first major African jazz festival in Morocco in 1972 and also toured Latin America. From the 1970s he was on faculty at NYU and at Brooklyn College. In 1984 BMI recognized his work by giving him Pioneer in Jazz. He died on October 2nd 1993 in Long Branch New Jersey. Among his followers are such modern day luminaries as Rabih Abou- Khalil and Anwar Brahim.

Last Updated: January 30, 2012

As a Leader

Jazz Sahara
OJC
1958
Tracks: Ya Annas; Isma'a; El Haris; Farah 'Alaiyna.
Personnel: Ahmed Abdul-Malik: bass, oud; Bilal Abdurrahman: clarinet; Jackie Ghanaim: kanun; Johnny Griffin: tenor saxophone; Mike Hamway: darabeka; Al Harewood: drums; Naim Karacand: violin.

East Meets West
RCA
1959
Tracks: E-Lail (The Night); La Ilbky (Don't Cry); Takseem (Solo); Searchin'; Isma'a (Listen) ; Rooh (The Soul); Mahawara ; El Ghada.
Personnel: Ahmed Abdul-Malik: bass, oud; Bilal Abdurrahman: percussion; Ahmed Yetman: kanun; Benny Golson and Johnny Griffin: tenor saxophone; Curtis Fuller: trombone; Lee Morgan: trumpet; Jerome Richardson: flute; Mike Hamway: darabeka; Al Harewood: drums; Naim Karacand: violin.

The Music of Ahmed Abdul-Malik
New Jazz
1961
Tracks: Nights On Saturn; The Hustlers; Oud Blues; La Ibkey; Don't Blame Me; Hannibal's Carnivals.
Personnel: Ahmed Abdul-Malik: bass, oud; Calo Scott: violin, cello; Tommy Turrentine: trumpet; Eric Dixon: tenor saxophone; Bilal Abdurrahman: clarinet, percussion, Korean reed instrument; Andrew Cyrille: drums.

Sounds of Africa
New Jazz
1962
Tracks: Wakida Hena; African Bossa Nova; Nadusilma; Out of Nowhere; Communication; Suffering.
Personnel: Ahmed Abdul-Malik: bass, oud; Calo Scott: violin; Richard Williams: trumpet; Edwin Steede: alto saxophone; Taft Chandler: tenor saxophone; Rupert Allenye-flute; Rudy Collins: drums; Montego Joe: conga, bongo; Chief Bey: African drum.

Eastern Moods of Ahmed Abdul Malik
New Jazz
1963
Tracks: Sa-Ra-Ga-Ya-Hindi; Sho-Habebe ; Summertime; Magrebi; Ancient Scene.
Personnel: Ahmed Abdul-Malik: bass, oud; Bilal Abdurrahman: clarinet, flute, percussion, alto sax; William Allen: bass, percussion.

Spellbound
Status
1965
Tracks: Spellbound; Never on Sunday; Body and Soul; Song of Delilah; Cinema Blues.
Personnel: Ahmed Abdul-Malik: bass, oud; Hamza Aldeen: oud; Ray Nancet: trumpet, violin, cornet; Paul Neves: piano; Walter Perkins: drums; Seldon Powell: flute, tenor sax.

Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.

Please Sign Up or Log In to send your inquiry.

Sorry, no events found. Submit one now.

Your events will appear at the following locations: Jazz Near You, the weekly Jazz Near You email, the Jazz Near You app, the Jazz Near You calendar widget and this page.