Rashied Ali Returns To London in July

Monday, June 18, 2007

Following his jaw-dropping performance last year at London’s Pizza On The Park drummer Rashied Ali returns with his quintet for three nights from 19-21 July. The drummer built a ferocious reputation with John Coltrane during the latter’s free period from 1965 until the saxophonist’s death in 1967, after which he went on to play with Alice Coltrane before leading his own bands. Prior to John Coltrane Ali had started out with Sonny Rollins before developing a name on the New York free scene with Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders and Sunny Murray. Wherever Rashied Ali plays things happen and his current quintet, including tenor saxophonist Lawrence Clark, trumpeter Josh Evans, pianist Greg Murphy and bassist Joris Teepe, is one of the most explosive he has ever put together. Readers be warned, if last year’s performance is anything to go by this is one show that you will definitely not want to miss.