Faruq Z. Bey

Detroit born and founder of the legendary Detroit ensemble Griot Galaxy which flourished in the 1980’s. He started
his career as a professional musician in 1960. Since then he has performed with Abdullah Ibrahim, Leroy Jenkins,
Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton, Roy Brooks, and Archie Shepp.

Jazz fans and music critics proclaimed Griot Galaxy as the premiere new music band in Detroit during the late 70’s
and 80’s. In the late 1980’s Faruq was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which led to the demise of Griot Galaxy. Since this time (some collaborations date back to earlier times) Faruq has led and been involved in several

music ensembles and projects. Some of them include;

*Lincoln Street Jazz Ensemble (1 cd)
*Synchron
*Kin Quartet (current ensemble)
*Wind Conspiracy Ensemble (current ensemble)
*Street Band
*Speaking In Tongues (current ensemble)
*Robert Jones (blues guitarist)
*M. L. Liebler Poetry Band (current ensemble)
*Semaj (poetry, 1 cd)
*Northwoods Improvisers (current ensemble)