Alaadeen Artist Page

     Alaadeen, who is equally skilled and original on tenor and soprano saxophones, has made a major impact on the Kansas City jazz scene. Born in Kansas City, Alaadeen grew up around music. He began on the saxophone when he was in sixth grade, in time also mastering flute, clarinet and oboe and studied with Leo H. Davis, a well-respected music teacher, reported to have taught Charlie Parker.
      Alaadeen studied at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, St. Mary’s College and DePaul University. He served in the military during 1957-59, being the jazz saxophonist and principle oboist with the 4th Army Band. After his discharge, Alaadeen spent time in Chicago, playing in a program led by pianist-composer Richard Abrams that was the beginning of the AACM; other members included trumpeter Lester Bowie and bassist Malachi Favors.
The saxophonist picked up a lot of experience living and playing in such cities as New York, Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Antonio and St. Louis. In addition to McShann, he had opportunities to work in a countless number of settings including stints with Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, The Glen Miller ghost band under the direction of Tex Beneke, Della Reese, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, T-Bone Walker, Claude “Fiddler” Williams and with R&B stars, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Four Tops and Sam Cooke.
      After returning to Kansas City, Alaadeen not only performed but also became a very significant educator. His skills as a teacher were recognized when he was inducted into the RT Coles/Lincoln High School “Outstanding Alumni Hall Of Fame.”
      During 1990-91, he won songwriting competitions sponsored by Billboard for his songs
“Big Six” and “Blues For R.C.” Along the way he recorded with Jay McShann, Crown Prince Waterford, the City Light Orchestra and countless others. He led the Deans of Swing in the 1990s and the ensemble was picked in 1996 as Musician Magazine’s Best Unsigned Band. On October12, 2000, Congresswoman Karen McCarthy recognized Alaadeen in the United States House of Representatives for the contributions he made to his community's understanding of its Jazz heritage. In 2002, at an official dinner applauding him for his outstanding achievements in the art form of Jazz, he was issued a Proclamation from the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri.

1. THE SUMMER KNOWS
2. AND THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL
3. DEARLY BELOVED
4. WHEN LOVE HAS
5. FREE MAN
6. DETOUR AHEAD
7. THEY SAY IT'S WONDERFUL

1. GRACE
2. BENEATH WHERE RIVERS FLOW
3. SALAAM, SHALOM, PEACE
4. THE BURNING SAND
5. TIME'S UP
6. HOME AGAIN
7. THE JANNAH NOW

1. 'ASR
2. DOIN' THE DEAN
3. WHEN LOVE HAS
4. JEANNINE
5. 21ST CENTURY RAGG
6. IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING
7. THE RINGINGS

1. BLUES FOR RC
2. JOSEPHINE
3. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
4. WAYNE HIMSELF
5. BIG SIX
6. FACADE
7. REQUIEM FOR GERALD
8. BIG 'UN