You've most likely never heard of jazz pianist Hassan Ibn Ali. Until recently, his legacy was confined to one recording he made with Max Roach in 1964. Yet his playing is legendary, and to this day, his living memory reputation amonst people who heard him or knew him is epic, 40 years after his death in 1980.
Now, two new recordings have been released from tapes that were made during his lifetime. These tapes almost didn't make it through the years, and could have been completely lost. But one man, Alan Sukoenig, has made it his mission to track down these tapes and work with a record lable to release the music on new albums.
In this interview, I have Alan on the webcast, along with pianist and jazz historian Lewis Porter. It is in fact Alan who recorded Hassan Ibn Ali in 1964, using a portable tape player, in a dormitory lounge of the University of Pennsylvania.
I am in awe of Alan's and Lewis' dedication to unearthing, preserving, and celebrating the legacy of this musician who, due to his own eccentricity and a propensity to go to prison, didn't have the career that his talent would have demanded. Thank you two for being my guests on this episode.
Hasaan Ibn Ali on Omnivore records
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