© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jazz Musician Ahmad Alaadeen Dies at 76

Jazz musician Ahmad Alaadeen
Jazz musician Ahmad Alaadeen

Tenor saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen passed away on Sunday, August 15, after a battle with bladder cancer. He was 76. A native of Kansas City, Alaadeen spent more than six decades in jazz music.

By KCUR

Kansas City, MO – Ahmad Alaadeen debuted with a concert band at the age of 14. But he built a career performing with jazz notables such as Jay McShann, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Lester Bowie, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, and others. Alaadeen also performed with R&B legends like Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight.

?Tuesday, August 17: Funeral services take place at 10 am at Watkins Brothers Memorial Chapel, 4000 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. in Kansas City, MO, followed by a 12:30 pm burial at National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, KS. A jam session, Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland Ave, 7 pm. free

?Monday, August 23: Memorial jazz concert, Blue Room, 1600 E. 18th St., 6 pm. free

?Saturday, September 4: Jazz performance by Dennis Winslett and others, with Alaadeen's music, Blue Room, 1600 E. 18th St. $10

For more about musician Ahmad Alaadeen:

?Listen to Ahmad Alaadeen Remembered on Up to Date here

?Listen to the 2009 Fish Fry interview about the 15th anniversary re-release of the City Light Orchestra's album "Raised Spirits" here

?Listen to the 2007 interview with Lee Ingalls about Alaadeen's album "And the Beauty of It All" here

?Listen to the 2006 interview with KCUR's Laura Spencer about first hearing Jay McShann play here

?Listen to the 2005 interview with Lee Ingalls about Alaadeen's album "New Africa Suite" here

Download recent arts stories or subscribe to the KCUR Arts Podcast

KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.