Stories

The Origins of Muslim Jazz Music

Learn about the forgotten Muslim contributions to early jazz music featuring Dr. Nathan Lean, author of a forthcoming book on the history of Muslim jazz musicians.

Talib Ahmad Dawood

Pioneering American jazz trumpeter.

A black-and-white photo of Hajji Talib Ahmad Dawud, the Imam of the Muslim Brotherhood Congress taken in Cairo, Egypt in 1962. Dawud was an Antiguan immigrant to New York City born in 1923. He was an accomplished jazz trumpeter, playing with such iconic artists as Dizzy Gillespie and Andy Kirk. He eventually quit music to study Islam full-time and played a major role in developing the initial infrastucture for the International Muslim Brotherhood in the USA.

Sahib Shihab

American jazz and hard bop saxophonist.

A color photograph of Sahib Shihab playing saxophone with the Clarke-Boland Big Band at the Berlin Jazz Fest in 1970.
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World’s Columbian Exhibition

A black-and-white portrait of Talib Ahmad Daawud (Alfonso Nelson Rainey pre-shahādah), an Antiguan immigrant to New York City born in 1923. He was an accomplished jazz trumpeter, playing with such iconic artists as Dizzy Gillespie and Andy Kirk. He eventually quit music to study Islam full-time and played a major role in developing the initial infrastucture for the International Muslim Brotherhood in the USA. In this photo, he is wearing a vest and jacket with a smart tie and glasses as he stands next to his wife, Dakota Staton - a legend in her own right.

Ahmed Abdul-Malik

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A black-and white photo of Ahmed Abdul-Malik performing with Calo Scott and Bilal Abdurahman. Abdul-Malik is playing the oud, which along with the double bass was his signature instrument. He is wearing a suit-and-tie, just as his bandmates, as well as a cool pair of shades. A curtain backdrops the performance.
Tagline / Name

World’s Columbian Exhibition

A black-and-white portrait of Talib Ahmad Daawud (Alfonso Nelson Rainey pre-shahādah), an Antiguan immigrant to New York City born in 1923. He was an accomplished jazz trumpeter, playing with such iconic artists as Dizzy Gillespie and Andy Kirk. He eventually quit music to study Islam full-time and played a major role in developing the initial infrastucture for the International Muslim Brotherhood in the USA. In this photo, he is wearing a vest and jacket with a smart tie and glasses as he stands next to his wife, Dakota Staton - a legend in her own right.

Art Blakey

American jazz drummer and bandleader, also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina.

A black-and-white photograph from 1963 of Art Blakey playing drums with his band, the Jazz Messengers, while performing in the Kurzaal Concert Hall in The Hague. His mouth is slightly open and you can see his tongue just protruding from his teeth, a facial expression he was known for while playing the drums, revealing his deep focus and energetic performance style.
A colorful photograph of the album cover for "Drum Suite" from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. The cover has a vintage, mid-20th-century design style, matching the jazz era it represents. It features a variety of traditional African mask styles set against a bright red background.
Tagline / Name

World’s Columbian Exhibition

A black-and-white portrait of Talib Ahmad Daawud (Alfonso Nelson Rainey pre-shahādah), an Antiguan immigrant to New York City born in 1923. He was an accomplished jazz trumpeter, playing with such iconic artists as Dizzy Gillespie and Andy Kirk. He eventually quit music to study Islam full-time and played a major role in developing the initial infrastucture for the International Muslim Brotherhood in the USA. In this photo, he is wearing a vest and jacket with a smart tie and glasses as he stands next to his wife, Dakota Staton - a legend in her own right.