Died On This Date (December 26, 2016) Alphonse Mouzon / Jazz Fusion Pioneer
themusicsover Alphonse Mouzon
November 21, 1948 – December 26, 2016
Alphonse Mouzon was a jazz drummer who came to be one of the architects of American jazz fusion during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Born in Charleston, SC, Mouzon realized in high school that he had what it took to make a living as a musician. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City where he studied music and drama. Mouzon’s first gig of note was playing percussion in the Broadway show, Promises, Promises. He then went to work with jazz great, McCoy Tyner, and spent about a year in Weather Report before being signed to Blue Note Records as a solo artist in 1972. In 1973, he joined up with Larry Coryell‘s Eleventh House, one of the premiere fusion bands of its time. He played with Coryell for about two years and can be heard on such albums as Introducing The Eleventh House and Level One. Throughout his career, which spanned over 45 years, Mouzon also recorded or performed with the likes of Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Roberta Flack, Robert Plant, Stevie Wonder, and Eric Clapton – to name a few. Alphonse Mouzon died from neuroendocrine carcinoma on December 26, 2016. He was 68.
What You Should Own
Maureen Gray was a beloved soul singer whose strong and impassioned voice exemplified what became known as the Philly Sound. Born in New York City, Gray was just five years old when she made her professional debut at Carnegie Hall. She sang just one song that night, “Steam Heat” from Pajama Game, and received her first standing ovation. At just 12 years old, she came to the attention of Chancellor Records who released her first record, “Today’s The Day,” which became an instant hit in the Philly area, making her the envy of her classmates. Later, she had a Billboard charting hit with “Dancin’ The Strand,” and several other marginal hits. Gary went on to be an in-demand session singer, recording with the likes of Eric Clapton, 