Spinner

Jazz Drummer Rashied Ali Dies at 74

The jazz world lost one of its greatest drummers Wednesday with the passing of Rashied Ali due to a blocked artery. Ali, best known as a member of John Coltrane's mid-'60s groups, was 74.

Born Robert Patterson in Philadelphia, Ali first learned to play drums in the US Army. He cited Art Blakey as a major influence and was a student of Philly Joe Jones. After his service was up, he got off the ground playing in R&B groups before hooking up with future jazz greats such as Lee Morgan and Jimmy Smith.

Ali became instantly associated with the '60s free jazz movement and contributed to many great Coltrane records such as 'Interstellar Space,' 'Stellar Regions' and 'Meditations.' He complimented and challenged veteran Elvin Jones when the saxophone great decided to go to a two-drummer format. He was admired for a wild, seemingly reckless playing style that simultaneously displayed a wicked sense of control.

Ali also was a fixture on Alice Coltrane records and over the years played with jazz giants such as David Murray, Sonny Fortune and James "Blood" Ulmer. In 1996, he was asked by Henry Rollins to provide the rhythmic backdrop to Rollins' spoken word album, 'Everything.'

He wasn't confined to just the drums, either. He dabbled in performance art, ran a loft club during the 1970s called Ali's Alley, was involved in the Vision Festival and was a constant fixture within New York City's experimental jazz scene. For the last six years, Ali has been playing and gigging with his own group, the Rashied Ali Quintet.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

19 Comments

Filter by:
AMIR

Rashied Ali is also one of my influences.
salaam my brother.

August 14 2009 at 1:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Acajudi

RIP...A job well done.

August 14 2009 at 1:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J.

A shame. I met him once in 1990 after a set in Cambridge. Very nice person. Excellent set.

Rest in Peace Rashied.

August 14 2009 at 11:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sharyn wolf

splendid musician, splendid human being

August 14 2009 at 10:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
FRANK

I'AM SURE IT'S BEEN FUN !!!!!!!!!! R.I.P. !!!

August 14 2009 at 10:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mistermagicp

I thank you also Cuthbert, for those comments. I had just been listening to Rashied Ali & Frank Lowe's Duo Exchange Album on Tuesday.

August 14 2009 at 9:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bodo Vespaciano

The Jazz band in the sky is getting bigger and better...I never miss an oportunity to see any one of the greats, especially those that are getting on in years as they also get better and better...but I do not want to miss one like I miss Ali...salaam alekkium kardesh!

August 14 2009 at 8:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Love Peace

Yes, I wish they would write up why he died so that we can help prevent this from happening to us or our loved ones. Just learned that olive oil is not good for you so I intend to use only canola oil which has omega 3 heart healthy benefits. I also want to try to reach my goal of one hour of exercise every day. Sweating is good for us. Find out how to keep your arteries in good shape. You can have a carotid ultrasound done and find out what shape your arteries are in. I did and I found out I had some plaque formation so I am taking a statin (lipitor) to try to contain the damage. ground up flax ( acouple of tablespoons a day is also great for your heart and circulation. Thank you cuthbert simpkins for your lovely message.

August 14 2009 at 8:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Love Peace's comment
I love olive oil

It's the other way around, Olive oil is healthy and Canola Oil is a little dangerous.

September 30 2009 at 6:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Barbara Ricci

This blockage is usually the carotid artery in the neck or the coronary artery leading to the heart.

August 14 2009 at 7:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Barbara Ricci's comment
Mike Thompson

The blocked artery was in his heart. Rashied had been hospitalized a few days earlier after a heart attack at his loft. He seemed to be doing fine, on the road to recovery. At the time of his passing, his bags were packed and he was being discharged from the hospital. Before he left to return home, he excused himself and walked into the restroom. He never came back out.

August 14 2009 at 10:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tom

Anyone unaware of this man or Coltrane should do himself a favor and listen.

So where was the "blocked artery" that led to Ali's death? Seemingly unimportant to the writer, but not to this reader.

August 14 2009 at 6:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply