Yusef Lateef
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Chattanooga TN, United States (1920 – present)
Dr. Yusef Lateef (born William Emanuel Huddleston, October 9, 1920) is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator and a renowned spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community after his conversion to Islam in 1950. Lateef was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but his family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1925.
Although Lateef’s main instruments are the tenor saxophone and flute, he is known for his innovative blending of jazz with Eastern music. In addition to the oboe and bassoon, both rare in jazz, Lateef plays various non-North-American music instruments, notably the bamboo flute, shanai, shofar, arghul, sarewa, and koto. Throughout his early life Lateef came into contact with many Detroit-based jazz musicians who would gain prominence, including vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Elvin Jones, and guitarist Kenny Burrell. Lateef was a proficient saxophonist by the time of his graduation from high school at age 18, at which point he launched his professional career and began touring with a number of swing bands.
In 1949, Lateef was invited by Dizzy Gillespie to tour with his world-renowned orchestra. At this time, Lateef was known by the name William Evans, thereby making him one of three well-known jazz musicians (besides the pianist and the tenor saxophonist) bearing this name. Notably, all three played with Miles Davis during their careers.
In 1950, Lateef returned to Detroit and began his studies in composition and flute at Wayne State University. It was during this period that Lateef converted to Islam as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Although Lateef’s main instruments are the tenor saxophone and flute, he is known for his innovative blending of jazz with Eastern music. In addition to the oboe and bassoon, both rare in jazz, Lateef plays various non-North-American music instruments, notably the bamboo flute, shanai, shofar, arghul, sarewa, and koto. Throughout his early life Lateef came into contact with many Detroit-based jazz musicians who would gain prominence, including vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Elvin Jones, and guitarist Kenny Burrell. Lateef was a proficient saxophonist by the time of his graduation from high school at age 18, at which point he launched his professional career and began touring with a number of swing bands.
In 1949, Lateef was invited by Dizzy Gillespie to tour with his world-renowned orchestra. At this time, Lateef was known by the name William Evans, thereby making him one of three well-known jazz musicians (besides the pianist and the tenor saxophonist) bearing this name. Notably, all three played with Miles Davis during their careers.
In 1950, Lateef returned to Detroit and began his studies in composition and flute at Wayne State University. It was during this period that Lateef converted to Islam as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
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The Holy Other
Yusef Lateef
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Eastern Sounds
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The Golden Flute
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Psychicemotus
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Shoutbox
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fsharptrit0ne how does he not even have a million plays
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Dachink this guy is immortal.
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Lone__Wolf brilliant
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akzincke Wow, Eastern Sounds is by far the most played. What else should I check out?
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Ibby2506 The Blue Yusef Lateef.
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tim4tw just listened to "Like It Is" from a jazz compilation. from which album is it?
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suisita happy 91 st birthday brother yusef. love you forever
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Benjin7 LEGEND
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first gymnopedie
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Love Theme From Spartacus
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Chinq Miau (Eastern Sounds,…
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1MC Podcast: If You Could See…
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