Bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma is in the interview chair this episode. Not to discount the hard work that makes it possible, but for the music lover, Tacuma's career seems like a dream. After a couple years woodshedding on the electric bass as a North Philly teen, his talent is spotted and he is whisked away to the major leagues of jazz, first with organist Charles Earland, who had a sizable hit with the tune “Black Talk” in 1969 and then famously with jazz legend Ornette Coleman in his ground-breaking band, Prime Time. In 1975, at the age of 18, Jamaaladeen packed his bags and relocated for six months to Paris with Ornette's band, playing and recording the classic LP DANCING IN YOUR HEAD. From there Jamaaladeen's world expanded, playing international stages, releasing his own records and playing with Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, The Roots, Nona Hendryx, Kip Hanrahan, The Golden Palominos, and James Blood Ulmer on numerous and far-reaching sessions.
Jamaaladeen's playing exhibits a good-humored excitement that flows from the man himself as we meet for the first time on mic. He talks about the Philadelphia he grew up in, his insights into Ornette, his appearance on Saturday Night Live, his interest in fashion and design, his exclusive clothing boutique and his new acquisition, the acoustic bass.
