Jamaaladeen Tacuma
Encyclopedia
Jamaaladeen Tacuma is an American
free jazz
bassist
born in Hempstead, New York
, perhaps best known for his albums as bandleader
on the Gramavision label and for his work with Ornette Coleman
during the 1970s and 1980s (particularly in Coleman's Prime Time band). Jamaaladeen's 1988 album Jukebox was nominated for a Grammy Award
in 1989, but did not win.
and showed interest in music at a young age, performing with the organist
Charles Earland
in his teens. Through Earland Tacuma came to know the record producer Reggie Lucas
, who introduced Jamaaladeen to Ornette Coleman
in 1975 at age 19. As the electric bassist for Coleman's funk
y Prime Time group, Tacuma rose to prominence quickly; another notable band member included the guitarist
Bern Nix
. While with Prime Time, Tacuma relied mostly on traditional technique, picking with his fingers. Later works showcase a more rhythmic, thumb-slapping funk approach.
The first three Prime Time recordings (Dancing in Your Head
, Body Meta, and Of Human Feelings, all recorded in the late 1970s) feature Tacuma's work on a Rickenbacker
bass, a model popular among progressive rock musicians but rarely used on jazz recordings. He switched to a Steinberger bass in the 1980s, an instrument that helped him create his readily identifiable sound.
Tacuma's work with Prime Time landed him his most high-profile gig to date: an appearance with the band on Saturday Night Live
on April 14, 1979, which Tacuma later cited in Musician
magazine as his "best live performance ever". Work with such artists as James "Blood" Ulmer, Walt Dickerson
, David Moss
, Chuck Hammer
, Kip Hanrahan
, and David Murray
further heightened his reputation. Tacuma's first solo album, "Show Stopper", came in 1983 on the Gramavision label; the album grew out of the jazz/funk style he developed in his work with Coleman. His other works as leader at Gramavision followed that forumala.
In the 1980s Jamaaladeen started to perform with a group called "Cosmetic". He was frequently featured in music magazines thanks to his aggressive, driving playing style and his angular fashion sense. In 1981 Tacuma received the highest number of votes ever for an electric bassist in the "talent deserving wider recognition" category of the Down Beat
magazine critics poll.
In the 1990s and 2000s, he has maintained a lower profile. His relatively infrequent recordings in these years include CDs of duets with saxophonist Wolfgang Puschnig. However, Allmusic cited Mirakle, a recording that features Tacuma, drummer Grant Calvin Weston, and guitarist Derek Bailey as one of the "most important recordings of year 2000." In 2006, he returned to the jazz spotlight with an appearance on the World Saxophone Quartet
's Political Blues.
In 2011, Tacuma was selected as a Pew Fellowships in the Arts.
with Walt Dickerson
with Ornette Coleman
with James "Blood" Ulmer
with Kip Hanrahan
with Nona Hendryx
with Jayne Cortez
and the Firespitters
with The Golden Palominos
with Cashmere
with Conjure
with David Moss
with Courtney Pine
with Wolfgang Puschnig
with Grant Calvin Weston
with Veronica Underwood
with Khan Jamal
with Fool Proof
with James Watkins
with Bazillus
with Pink Inc.
with Linda Sharrock
with Dennis Alston
with Cornell Rochester
with Red Sun and Samul Nori
with Kim Duk Soo and Samul Nori
with Basso Nouveau
with Fredy Studer and Christy Doran
with Sylk 130
with Ben Schachter
with Burhan Öçal
with James Carter
with Peter Murphy
with Free Form Funky Freqs (Vernon Reid and Calvin Weston)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
free jazz
Free jazz
Free jazz is an approach to jazz music that was first developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Though the music produced by free jazz pioneers varied widely, the common feature was a dissatisfaction with the limitations of bebop, hard bop, and modal jazz, which had developed in the 1940s and 1950s...
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
born in Hempstead, New York
Hempstead (village), New York
Hempstead is a village located in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 53,891 at the 2010 census.Hofstra University is located on the border between Hempstead and Uniondale.-Foundation:...
, perhaps best known for his albums as bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, 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 or rock and roll music....
on the Gramavision label and for his work with Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
during the 1970s and 1980s (particularly in Coleman's Prime Time band). Jamaaladeen's 1988 album Jukebox was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1989, but did not win.
Biography
Tacuma was raised in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
and showed interest in music at a young age, performing with the organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
Charles Earland
Charles Earland
Charles Earland was an American jazz composer, organist, and saxophonist in the soul jazz idiom.-Biography:...
in his teens. Through Earland Tacuma came to know the record producer Reggie Lucas
Reggie Lucas
Reginald "Reggie" Lucas is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Lucas is most famous for his production work with percussionist Mtume and for producing the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album.-Biography:...
, who introduced Jamaaladeen to Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
in 1975 at age 19. As the electric bassist for Coleman's funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
y Prime Time group, Tacuma rose to prominence quickly; another notable band member included the guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Bern Nix
Bern Nix
Bern Nix is a jazz guitarist. He has recorded and performed with Ornette Coleman, notably playing alongside fellow guitarist Charlie Ellerbee in Coleman's Prime Time group on their key recordings from Dancing in Your Head in the mid-1970 to In All Languages in 1987.He has released CDs including ...
. While with Prime Time, Tacuma relied mostly on traditional technique, picking with his fingers. Later works showcase a more rhythmic, thumb-slapping funk approach.
The first three Prime Time recordings (Dancing in Your Head
Dancing in Your Head
Dancing in Your Head is a 1975 release by jazz artist Ornette Coleman. It was the first to feature his electric band, which later became known as Prime Time. It was released originally on A&M Records, but it was re-mastered and re-released in 2000 on A&M/Verve/Universal Records...
, Body Meta, and Of Human Feelings, all recorded in the late 1970s) feature Tacuma's work on a Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
bass, a model popular among progressive rock musicians but rarely used on jazz recordings. He switched to a Steinberger bass in the 1980s, an instrument that helped him create his readily identifiable sound.
Tacuma's work with Prime Time landed him his most high-profile gig to date: an appearance with the band on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
on April 14, 1979, which Tacuma later cited in Musician
Musician (magazine)
Musician was a monthly magazine that covered news and information about American popular music. Initially called "Music America", it was founded in 1976 by Sam Holdsworth and Gordon Baird. The two friends borrowed $20,000 from relatives and started the publication in a barn in Colorado...
magazine as his "best live performance ever". Work with such artists as James "Blood" Ulmer, Walt Dickerson
Walt Dickerson
Walter Roland Dickerson was an American jazz vibraphone player, most associated with post-bop....
, David Moss
David Moss (musician)
David Moss is an American composer, percussionist and self-taught vocalist, founder of the David Moss Dense Band; co-founder and artistic director of the Institute for Living Voice, Antwerp...
, Chuck Hammer
Chuck Hammer
Chuck Hammer is an American guitarist and Emmy nominated digital film composer, known for seminal guitar-synth with Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Guitarchitecture....
, Kip Hanrahan
Kip Hanrahan
Kip Hanrahan is an American jazz music impresario, record producer and percussionist.-Biography:Hanrahan was born in a Puerto Rican neighborhood in the Bronx to an Irish-Jewish family. He has an unusual role in the albums released under his name, one which he has analogized to that of a film...
, and David Murray
David Murray (jazz musician)
David Murray is an American jazz musician. Murray plays mainly tenor saxophone and sometimes bass clarinet. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970s.-Biography:...
further heightened his reputation. Tacuma's first solo album, "Show Stopper", came in 1983 on the Gramavision label; the album grew out of the jazz/funk style he developed in his work with Coleman. His other works as leader at Gramavision followed that forumala.
In the 1980s Jamaaladeen started to perform with a group called "Cosmetic". He was frequently featured in music magazines thanks to his aggressive, driving playing style and his angular fashion sense. In 1981 Tacuma received the highest number of votes ever for an electric bassist in the "talent deserving wider recognition" category of the Down Beat
Down Beat
Down Beat is an American magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond" to indicate its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois...
magazine critics poll.
In the 1990s and 2000s, he has maintained a lower profile. His relatively infrequent recordings in these years include CDs of duets with saxophonist Wolfgang Puschnig. However, Allmusic cited Mirakle, a recording that features Tacuma, drummer Grant Calvin Weston, and guitarist Derek Bailey as one of the "most important recordings of year 2000." In 2006, he returned to the jazz spotlight with an appearance on the World Saxophone Quartet
World Saxophone Quartet
The World Saxophone Quartet is a jazz ensemble founded in 1977, implementing elements of free funk and African jazz into their musical routines.-History:...
's Political Blues.
In 2011, Tacuma was selected as a Pew Fellowships in the Arts.
As leader
- Show Stopper (1983; Gramavision)
- Renaissance Man (1984; Gramavision)
- Music World (1986)
- Jukebox (1988; Gramavision)
- Boss of the Bass (1991; Gramavision)
- Sound Symphony (1992)
- Dreamscape (1996; DIW)
- Groove 2000 (1998; Zyx)
- Brotherzone (1999)
- Flavors Of Thelonious Monk Reloaded (2007; Extraplatte)
- Coltrane Configurations (2009; Jazzwerkstatt)
- For The Love Of Ornette (2010; Jazzwerkstatt)
As sideman
with Cosmetic- Get Ready - Put It On (Gramavision)
- Cosmetics - Rough Complexion (Rough TradeRough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
) - (In The) Nightlife (Gramavision)
- So Tranquilizin
with Walt Dickerson
Walt Dickerson
Walter Roland Dickerson was an American jazz vibraphone player, most associated with post-bop....
- Serendipity (SteepleChase)
with Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
- Dancing in Your HeadDancing in Your HeadDancing in Your Head is a 1975 release by jazz artist Ornette Coleman. It was the first to feature his electric band, which later became known as Prime Time. It was released originally on A&M Records, but it was re-mastered and re-released in 2000 on A&M/Verve/Universal Records...
(1975; A&MA&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
) - Body MetaBody MetaBody Meta is an album by Ornette Coleman.-Personnel:*Ornette Coleman - Saxophone, Alto Saxophone*Charlie Ellerbie - Guitar*Ronald Shannon Jackson - Drums*Bern Nix - Guitar*Jamaaladeen Tacuma - Bass*Elisabeth Atnafu - Artwork...
(1976; Artists HouseArtists House-Discography:...
) - Of Human FeelingsOf Human Feelings- Side A :# "Sleep Talk" – 3:34# "Jump Street" – 4:24# "Him and Her" – 4:20# "Air Ship" – 6:11- Side B :# "What is the Name of That Song?" – 3:58# "Job Mob" – 4:57# "Love Words" – 2:54# "Times Square" – 6:03-Personnel:*Denardo Coleman – Drums...
(1982; AntillesAntilles RecordsAntilles Records was an American record label that was a subsidiary of Island Records.Its jazz catalog is now managed by Verve Records.-Discography:*1001 Joanne Brackeen - Special Identity 1981*1002 Biréli Lagrène- Routes To Django 1980...
) - Opening the Caravan of DreamsOpening the Caravan of DreamsOpening the Caravan of Dreams is an album by Ornette Coleman and his Prime Time ensemble.-Personnel:* Denardo Coleman - Drums* Ornette Coleman - Alto Saxophone* Charlie Ellerbie - Guitar* Sabir Kamal - Drums* Albert MacDowell - Bass...
(1985; Caravan of DreamsCaravan of DreamsThe Caravan of Dreams was a performing arts center located in the central business district of Fort Worth, Texas during the 1980s and 1990s. The venue was best known locally as a live music nightclub, though this only represented one portion of a larger facility. The center also included a...
) - In All LanguagesIn All LanguagesIn All Languages is a 1987 double album by Ornette Coleman. Coleman and the other members of his 1950s quartet, trumpeter Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins, performed on one of the two records, while his electrified ensemble, Prime Time, performed on the other...
(1987; Caravan of DreamsCaravan of DreamsThe Caravan of Dreams was a performing arts center located in the central business district of Fort Worth, Texas during the 1980s and 1990s. The venue was best known locally as a live music nightclub, though this only represented one portion of a larger facility. The center also included a...
)
with James "Blood" Ulmer
- Tales of Captain BlackTales of Captain BlackTales of Captain Black is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer featuring Ornette Coleman, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and Denardo Coleman recorded in 1978 and originally released on the Artists House label....
(1978; Artists House)
with Kip Hanrahan
Kip Hanrahan
Kip Hanrahan is an American jazz music impresario, record producer and percussionist.-Biography:Hanrahan was born in a Puerto Rican neighborhood in the Bronx to an Irish-Jewish family. He has an unusual role in the albums released under his name, one which he has analogized to that of a film...
- Coup De Tete (American Clave)
- Desire Develops an Edge (American Clave)
with Nona Hendryx
Nona Hendryx
Nona Hendryx is an American vocalist, producer, songwriter, musician, author, and actress.Hendryx is known for her work as a solo artist as well as for being one-third of the trio Labelle, who had a hit with "Lady Marmalade." Her music has ranged from soul, funk, dance, and R&B to hard rock, art...
- Nona (RCARCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
)
with Jayne Cortez
Jayne Cortez
Jayne Cortez is an American poet, and performance artist.-Biography:She grew up in California. She is the author of ten books of poems and performer of her poetry with music on nine recordings. Her voice is celebrated for its political, surrealistic, dynamic innovations in lyricism, and visceral...
and the Firespitters
- There It Is (Bola Press)
with The Golden Palominos
- The Golden Palominos (CelluloidCelluloid RecordsCelluloid Records, a French/American record label, founded by Jean Georgakarakos operated from 1976 to 1989 in New York, and produced a series of eclectic and ground-breaking releases, particularly in the early to late 1980s, largely under the auspices of de facto in-house producer Bill...
)
with Cashmere
- Let the Music Turn You On (Philly World)
with Conjure
- Music for the Texts of Ishmael ReedIshmael ReedIshmael Scott Reed is an American poet, essayist, and novelist. A prominent African-American literary figure, Reed is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture, and highlighting political and cultural oppression.Reed has been described as one of the most controversial...
(Pangaea)
with David Moss
David Moss (musician)
David Moss is an American composer, percussionist and self-taught vocalist, founder of the David Moss Dense Band; co-founder and artistic director of the Institute for Living Voice, Antwerp...
- Full House (Moers MusicMoers MusicMoers Music is a German jazz record label based in the city of Moers....
)
with Courtney Pine
Courtney Pine
Courtney Pine CBE is an English jazz musician. At school he studied the clarinet, although he is known primarily for his saxophone playing. Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the flute, clarinet, bass Clarinet and keyboards...
- The Vision's Tale (AntillesAntilles RecordsAntilles Records was an American record label that was a subsidiary of Island Records.Its jazz catalog is now managed by Verve Records.-Discography:*1001 Joanne Brackeen - Special Identity 1981*1002 Biréli Lagrène- Routes To Django 1980...
)
with Wolfgang Puschnig
- Pieces of the Dream (Amadeo)
- Gemini-Gemini (ITM)
- Journey Into the Gemini Territory (ITM)
- Alpine Aspects (Amadeo)
- Mixed Metaphors w/ Ernst JandlErnst JandlErnst Jandl was an Austrian writer, poet, and translator.- Poetry :Influenced by Dada he started to write experimental poetry, first published in the journal "Neue Wege" in 1952....
(Amadeo) - Wolfgang Puschnig Roots & Fruits (Amadeo)
with Grant Calvin Weston
- Dance Romance (In+Out Records)
with Veronica Underwood
- Veronica Underwood (Philly World)
with Khan Jamal
- Thinking of You (StoryvilleStoryville RecordsStoryville Records is a large international record label based in Copenhagen, Denmark, specializing in jazz and blues music. Besides its original material, Storyville Records has licensed and reissued many vintage jazz recordings that previously appeared on such labels as Paramount Records,...
)
with Fool Proof
- No Friction (Gramavision)
with James Watkins
- Intense (1989; ITM Records)
with Bazillus
- The Regulator featuring Eddie HarrisEddie HarrisEddie Harris was an American jazz musician, best known for playing tenor saxophone and for introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also fluent on the electric piano and organ...
(ZeroZero RecordsZero Records is a record studio located in Vancouver, Canada. The fallout from Jury Records resulted in the formation of Zero Records.-History:In the late 50’s, Don Grashey met Charlie Chuck Williams in Thunder Bay...
)
with Pink Inc.
- Pink Inc. (DIW)
- Keys 2 the Kastle (Sweeca)
with Linda Sharrock
- Linda Sharrock & The Three Man Band (Moers Music)
with Dennis Alston
- Sound Symphony (Moers Music)
with Cornell Rochester
- Meet The Podium 3 (Timeless)
with Red Sun and Samul Nori
- Then Comes the White Tiger (ECM)
with Kim Duk Soo and Samul Nori
- A New Horizon (T-Entertainment)
with Basso Nouveau
- The Night of Chamber Music (Moers Music)
with Fredy Studer and Christy Doran
- Half a Lifetime (Unit)
with Sylk 130
- When The Funk Hits The Fan (Ovum)
with Ben Schachter
- Fractals (Ben-Jam)
with Burhan Öçal
- Groove alla Turca (Doublemoon)
with James Carter
James Carter (musician)
James Carter is an American jazz musician.Carter was born in Detroit, Michigan and learned to play there before moving to New York City. He has been prominent as a performer and recording artist on the jazz scene since the mid-1990s, playing saxophones, flute, and bass clarinet...
- Layin' in the Cut (AtlanticAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
)
with Peter Murphy
- Dust (MetropolisMetropolis RecordsMetropolis Records is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based record label, distributor, and mail-order store specializing in the post-industrial field such as electro-industrial, synthpop, futurepop, darkwave, and gothic musical genres....
)
with Free Form Funky Freqs (Vernon Reid and Calvin Weston)
- Urban Mythology Volume 1 (Thirsty Ear)