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Ahmad S. Alaadeen

About Me

I was a student of Leo H. Davis, Charlie Parker's teacher. Later I studied at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, St. Mary's College and Chicago's DePaul University. I also served in the 4th Army Band as principle oboe player and jazz saxophonist. I spent periods of time living in New York, Chicago, Denver, St. Louis and San Antonio. However, I eventually settled back in my native Kansas City. On October 12, 2000, Congresswoman Karen McCarthy honored me in the United States House of Representatives, Washington DC. As recipient of the 2000 Missouri Governor's Humanities Award, I was recognized for the contributions I made to my community's understanding of its heritage. In 2002, Missouri's Governor Bob Holden, honored me at an official dinner at the Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City. In an effort to recognize me for making a significant impact in the history, development and performance of Jazz, and to applaud me for achievements in the art form of Jazz, I was issued a Proclamation from the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri. I have been playing my saxophone professionally since 1950 - starting as a teenager. I have performed with so many of the great names in music - starting with Jazz and Blues legends Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Jay McShann, Ella Fitzgerald, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Eddie”Cleanhead” Vinson, and Sam Cooke. Alaadeen has played with various Motown stars like: Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations; as well as jazz contemporaries like: George Duke, Bobby Watson, and Patti Austin.

I have won awards including: “Missouri Artist of the Year”; “2000 Governor's Humanities Award”; and, “The Jazz Heritage Award. I have also won Billboard Magazine songwriter awards for my compositions, “Big Six”, “Blues for R.C.” and “Wayne Himself”. In 1996, my ensemble was picked from over 3,000 bands to be Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Band. In addition to performing with my jazz ensemble, I continue to work as a significant jazz educator. I conduct performances, master classes, workshops, clinics with big band jazz ensemble, and serve as a guest soloist in support of music educators. I also provide “ An Historical Sketch of Jazz “ - a lecture with musical demonstration appropriate for the general community. I am available for live and studio performance opportunities as a soloist and/or with his various groups. Presenters booking my performances and residency activities can be offered funding assistance through The Missouri Arts Council, The Kansas Arts Commission, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. I am also an active member of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) ARTIST OUTREACH NETWORK. My recorded music on 'ASR Records is available for music licensing through coordination with Fandeen Publishing Company and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).