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Jamaaladeen Tacuma
Free Form Funk Jazz Bass
About Me
Few musicians leave their audiences with a feeling that they have truly
witnessed something amazing. Artist/Producer/Performer/Arranger 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 instruments
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.
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 Troupe and Amiri Baraka. Guitarist 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 recordingand performing
with the rap group The Roots, and with DJ King Britt and DJLogic. 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, and on several projects
which 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 also acting as a musical ambassador helping emerging
artist make the jump across the pond to perform in Europe . He is currently producing
projects for his newly formed CRASH PAD PRODUCTIONS so stay tuned.
Press Quotes:
What's All The Hype ?
Jamaaladeen Tacuma might be the greatest electric bassist I've ever heard.
MUSICIAN, PLAYER & LISTENER
Dancing, racing, and singing with clarity unequaled in the realm of bass
guitar.
DOWNBEAT
Jamaaladeen is the master of the sequence.
ORNETTE COLEMAN
Tacuma has developed an instrumental conception for the bass that could well
be the sound of the future, if today's musicians are brave enough to confront
it.
THE RECORD
JAMAALADEEN TACUMA BREAKING BASS BARRIERS. . . He is coming to be regarded
as one of the most distinctive forces on bass guitar to emerge in the past
decade.
GUITAR PLAYER
Mr. Tacuma seems equally capable of attaining that greater sophistication
and intelligence without sacrificing his earthy roots - just as Mr. Coleman has
done.
NEW YORK TIMES
The baddest electric bassist virtuoso in years.
MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
Tacuma has always been ahead of the average hipness curve.
BASS PLAYER
Sporting an outrageous lime green shirt and vintage 40's slacks at a gig in
Germany in August, Tacuma plugged in his bass with a hilarious-looking white
phone cord, then generated a slam-dancing funk that could have shaken the NATO
alliance.
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Jamaaladeen Tacuma's Dreamscape, an import on DIW Records, rocks the house
with incredibe bass and lead guitar sounds and heavy rhythmic grooves to
satisfy the funk- and -jazz jones that resides in your soul.
BILLBOARD