Few musicians leave their audiences with a feeling that they have truly witnessed something amazing. Artist/Producer/Performer/Arranger/Innovator and Bassist - Jamaaladeen Tacuma does just that.
This native Philadelphian has always stretched the old mold of what and how a bassist is supposed to play. Tacuma has simply re-defined his instrument's artistic potential.
In the mid 70's, his creatively free approach to the bass caught the eye and ear of the legendary saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Tacuma became a member of Coleman's electric band, Prime Time, he toured with the group and played on some of Coleman's historic recordings such as: Dancing In Your Head, Body Meta, and Of Human Feelings.
As a soloist, Tacuma continued to press the musical envelope with his debut album in 1983 entitled simply, Showstopper. Several records followed, some of which include: Renaissance Man (1984), Music World (1987) and JukeBox (1989), which confirmed his ability to flip between various musical genres. Even the critics have had high praise for Tacuma's musicianship and artistry. In 1981, he received the highest number of votes ever for an electric bassist in the Talent Deserving Wider Recognition category of the Down Beat critics' poll.
Tacuma has performed and recorded with musicians on nearly every continent. Collaborating with musicians from Japan, Korea, Europe and the Middle East.
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He has also played and produced for many American Jazz/Funk musicians. Furthermore, the release Mirakles by Derrick Bailey, G. Calvin Weston & Tacuma was cited as one of the most important recordings of year 2000 by All Music Guide. He also recently completed a recording entitled Dust with Bauhaus member Peter Murphy on the Metropolis label.He is featured on the new 2006 release of the World Saxophone Quartet's album on Justin Time Records entitled Political Blues
Tacuma has collaborated with a diverse and talented roster of artist: poets Jayne Cortez, Quincy Troupev and Amiri Baraka. Guitarists Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Marc Ribot, James Blood Ulmer, Jean Paul Bourelly and Derek Bailey. He has worked with orchestras led by Anthony Davis at Carnegie Hall, to recording and performing with the rap group The Roots, and with DJ King Britt and DJ Logic. He has performed and recorded with saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, Grover Washington Jr., David Murray, Odean Pope and Wolfgang Puschnig, and recently collaborated with James Carter, in which Tacuma played and wrote material for the CD Layin In The Cut. Tacuma has shared the stage with the great comedian and philanthropist Bill Cosby at the JVC Jazz Festival, on the David Letterman show where Tacuma was Band Director for the night. He has even written music for the hit TV show, The Cosby Show.
Staying true to his artistic and experimental approach to music, Tacuma is consistanly touring the world and currently producing projects for his newly formed Crash Pad Productions so stay tuned.
Gear
Dipinto Guitars, Labella Strings
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Album Review
Live Review
Album Review
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FOR THE LOVE OF ORNETTE
Jamaaladeen Tacuma is proud and honored to announce the
completion of a
recording project that is long awaited . A recording made up of
original
compositions featuring as guest his mentor and long time
band leader Ornette
Coleman. This album will be titled 'FOR THE LOVE OF
ORNETTE and will
feature master saxophonist, composer, harmolodic
musicologist Ornette
Coleman as a guest soloist. The recording will highlight two
important works,
a composition that Ornette wrote for Jamaaladeen entitled
TACUMA SONG,
which Jamaaladeen featured on his first solo album on
Gramavision records
entitled SHOWSTOPPER, this Album was very special and
was a result of the
encouragement and musical mentorship Jamaaladeen
received as a band
member in Prime Time
Read more
FOR THE LOVE OF ORNETTE
Jamaaladeen Tacuma is proud and honored to announce the
completion of a
recording project that is long awaited . A recording made up of
original
compositions featuring as guest his mentor and long time
band leader Ornette
Coleman. This album will be titled 'FOR THE LOVE OF
ORNETTE and will
feature master saxophonist, composer, harmolodic
musicologist Ornette
Coleman as a guest soloist. The recording will highlight two
important works,
a composition that Ornette wrote for Jamaaladeen entitled
TACUMA SONG,
which Jamaaladeen featured on his first solo album on
Gramavision records
entitled SHOWSTOPPER, this Album was very special and
was a result of the
encouragement and musical mentorship Jamaaladeen
received as a band
member in Prime Time. It marked a turning point in his career
where he
moved from Band member to Bandleader. In turn
Jamaaladeen composed a
song for Ornette called FOR THE LOVE OF ORNETTE that
will be debuted on
this new release. The musicians that are also performing are
among the best
and brightest on the scene today they include : Tony Kofi from
the UK who is
the recipient of the BBC Award and Parliamentary Award,
Wolfgang Puschnig
musical veteran from Vienna on Flute and Hojak, virtuoso
pianist Yoichi Uzeki
from Tokyo and an up and coming Young Lion 19 year old
Justin Faulkner
from Philadelphia on Drums who Jamaaladeen discovered
when he was just 13
years of age. Also a special appearance is made by David
Fingers Haynes
on Drums another innovator in his own right in the technique
and technology
of electronic drumming. Ornette displayed his talent and
wisdom on the
highest musical level for which he is known for and interacted
with these great
young musicians in a way that only Ornette can. For
Jamaaladeen, this is a
dream come true to work with his mentor who discovered him
at age 19. It is
Jamaaladeen's way of saying thank you Ornette for sharing
your musical
knowledge, wisdom and human experience with him, that
has carried him
throughout his solo musical career. Look out for this
recording as it will be
one not to be missed. Stay tuned for worldwide release dates.
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