Gift Alias

Don Alias (Charles Donald Alias) is a Batteur and Percussionniste born with New York the December 25th 1939 and deceased the March 29th 2006 in the same city.

Biography

Don Allias makes studies of medicine and biochemistry with Boston. Self-educated musician, it starts like Bassiste amateur in a group bringing together the young people Chick Corea, Tony Williams and the player of Congas Dave Fich. It is interested as much by the music Cuban Negro, the Rhythm & blues and the Jazz.

Its professional beginnings are done like guide of Eartha Kitt. He plays in orchestras of salsa, before becoming guide and “musical director” of the singer Nina Simone. In 1969, it is engaged by Miles Davis (discs “ Bitches brew ”, “ One the corner ”…). It is the beginning of a fertile career.

One could hear it at the sides of artists as various as Stan Getz, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Charles Mingus, Charlie Haden, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Joey Calderazzo, Charlie Mariano, Yoshiaki Masuo, Jeremy Steig, Pat Metheny… He also was very asked as musician of studio (recording with Sting, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Blood, Sweat & Tears…).

Good technician of the battery to the rigorous tempo, but especially, exceptional percussionnist (in particular with the Conga S), he was a musician very present on the scene of the Jazz-rock'n'roll and the Latin jazz.

External bond

http://donalias.com/
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Don_Alias.html

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