By Thomas Semioli

A giant of the instrument and among the most innovative, identifiable, and creative electric jazz bassists, the player born Rudy McDaniel in Hempstead Long Island, and raised in Philadelphia hardly garners recognition outside the free jazz / free funk / fusion / avant-garde / experimental circles.

Tacuma made his name as the anchor of Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time collective as a 19-year-old in 1975 on three watershed slabs: Dancing In Your Head, Body Meta, and Of Human Feelings.   

In the 80s Jamaaladeen commenced to recording under his own name, waxing several sides which erased the boundaries of funk, pop, jazz, world, and every permutation thereof.

Among Tacuma’s impressive sideman credits include Nona Hendryx, The Golden Palominos, Wolfgang Pusching, Linda Sharrock, Marc Ribot, and James Blood Ulmer to cite a select few.

A multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, educator, composer, collaborator – Tacuma has been recognized by his peers with several prestigious awards and hosts the annual Outsiders Improvised Musical Festival.

Citing Val Burke and James Jamerson as, Jamaaladeen’s more recognizable weapons of choice include the Rickenbacker 4001, Fender Jazz, Steinberger XL, WAV Radius, and WAV Radius Upright.

Dig Jamaaladeen with Max Roach and Carlos Santana https://youtu.be/oWIe6Benbu0

Dig Jamaaladeen with The Last Poets https://youtu.be/oWIe6Benbu0

Dig Jamaaladeen with Ornette and Prime Time https://youtu.be/hSzC3ICoOds