Idris Muhammad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Idris Muhammad
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Idris Muhammad playing with Reggie Workman and Pharoah Sanders, c. 1978
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leo Morris |
| Born | November 13, 1939 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 29, 2014 (aged 74) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
Idris Muhammad was an amazing American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was born Leo Morris on November 13, 1939, and passed away on July 29, 2014.
Idris Muhammad had a long and successful career. He played many types of music, including jazz, funk, R&B, and soul. He recorded music with famous musicians like Ahmad Jamal, Lou Donaldson, Pharoah Sanders, and Bob James.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Idris Muhammad, originally named Leo Morris, grew up in New Orleans. His home was right next to a dry cleaner's shop. He once said that the sound of the steam presser helped him develop his unique hi-hat drumming style.
As a kid, he spent time with the famous New Orleans group, The Neville Brothers. He showed a special talent for playing drums very early on. He even played in a Mardi Gras parade when he was just 9 years old!
Idris wanted to learn to read music, so he asked drummer Paul Barbarin for lessons. But Barbarin felt Idris was already so naturally talented that he didn't need formal lessons.
Starting His Professional Career
When he was 14, Idris Muhammad started his professional music journey. He played drums for The Hawketts on their well-known song "Mardi Gras Mambo". Just two years later, in 1956, he played on Fats Domino's famous recording of "Blueberry Hill".
After being introduced by Joe Jones, Idris began touring with the legendary Sam Cooke. He then played with Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield in Chicago. During this time, he mostly played R&B music.
Moving to New York and Jazz Scene
In the mid-1960s, Idris Muhammad moved to New York City. There, he became a big part of the jazz music scene. He played with many jazz greats like Kenny Dorham, Horace Silver, Lou Donaldson, and Betty Carter. He also joined the house band at the famous Apollo Theatre.
In 1967, he got a job playing in the orchestra for the musical Hair. He stayed with the show when it moved to Broadway.
During these years, Idris was also part of the house band for Prestige Records. He recorded over 150 albums for labels like Prestige, Blue Note, and CTI. He played with artists such as Lou Donaldson and Charles Earland, who were mixing jazz with funk, soul, and rock sounds. He also played as a sideman (a supporting musician) for artists like Gene Ammons and George Benson.
The record producer Rudy Van Gelder often worked with Idris. Rudy helped fine-tune Idris's drum sound on recordings, making it sound even better.
Leading His Own Music
After four years with Hair, Idris Muhammad left the show to tour with singer Roberta Flack. He worked with her for almost ten years.
Idris released his first album as a bandleader, Black Rhythm Revolution!, in 1970. This was followed by Peace and Rhythm in 1971. Both albums explored different jazz styles and New Orleans rhythms.
Later, he released albums like Power of Soul, House of the Rising Sun, and Turn This Mutha Out. These albums moved more towards funk music. They have become favorites for funk fans and have been used in many hip-hop songs.
Towards the end of the 1970s, Idris joined Johnny Griffin's band. He also spent time playing with Pharoah Sanders.
Later Years and Legacy
In the 1980s, Idris Muhammad moved to Europe. He continued to play and record music regularly. He worked with famous musicians like Ahmad Jamal, Chico Freeman, and Sonny Rollins.
In 2011, he moved back to his hometown of New Orleans. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 74. He was buried following Islamic traditions.
Personal Life and Family
Idris Muhammad changed his name from Leo Morris in the 1960s when he converted to Islam. He once said that people would still recognize him because of his unique drumming style, even with a new name. And he was right!
In 1966, he married singer Dolores "LaLa" Brooks, who used to be in the group the Crystals. She also converted to Islam. They had two sons and two daughters. Idris also had a daughter from his first marriage. One of his sons, also named Idris Muhammed, is a professional chef who has appeared on cooking shows like Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped.
Idris Muhammad was supported by Istanbul Agop Cymbals, a company that makes musical instruments.
Discography
As leader
- 1970: Black Rhythm Revolution! (Prestige)
- 1971: Peace and Rhythm (Prestige)
- 1974: Power of Soul (Kudu)
- 1976: House of the Rising Sun (Kudu)
- 1977: Turn This Mutha Out (Kudu)
- 1978: Boogie to the Top (Kudu)
- 1978: You Ain't No Friend of Mine (Fantasy)
- 1979: Foxhuntin' (Fantasy)
- 1980: Make It Count (Fantasy)
- 1980: Kabsha (Theresa)
- 1992: My Turn (Lipstick)
- 1998: Right Now (Cannonball)
As sideman
With Nat Adderley
- Calling Out Loud (CTI, 1968)
With Eric Alexander
- Solid! (Milestone, 1998)
With Gene Ammons
- The Black Cat! (Prestige, 1970)
- You Talk That Talk! (Prestige, 1971)
- My Way (Prestige, 1971)
- Got My Own (Prestige, 1972)
- Big Bad Jug (Prestige, 1972)
With George Benson
- Goodies (Verve, 1968)
- Tell It Like It Is (A&M, 1969)
- The Other Side of Abbey Road (A&M, 1969)
With Walter Bishop, Jr.
- Bish Bash (Xanadu, 1968 [1975])
- Coral Keys (Black Jazz, 1971)
With Bobby Broom
- Modern Man (Delmark, 2001)
With Rusty Bryant
- Soul Liberation (Prestige, 1970)
- Fire Eater (Prestige, 1971)
- Wild Fire (Prestige, 1971)
With Donald Byrd
- Fancy Free (Blue Note, 1969)
With George Coleman
- Manhattan Panorama (Theresa, 1985)
With Hank Crawford
- Help Me Make it Through the Night (Kudu, 1972)
- Wildflower (Kudu, 1973)
- I Hear a Symphony (Kudu, 1975)
- Tight (Milestone, 1996)
With Paul Desmond
- Summertime (A&M/CTI, 1968)
With Fats Domino
- Blueberry Hill (1965)
With Lou Donaldson
- Fried Buzzard (Cadet, 1965)
- Blowing in the Wind (Cadet, 1966)
- Lou Donaldson At His Best (Cadet, 1966)
- Alligator Bogaloo (Blue Note, 1967)
- Mr. Shing-A-Ling (Blue Note, 1967)
- Midnight Creeper (Blue Note, 1968)
- Say It Loud! (Blue Note, 1968)
- Hot Dog (Blue Note, 1969)
- Everything I Play is Funky (Blue Note, 1970)
- Pretty Things (Blue Note, 1970)
- The Scorpion (Blue Note, 1970)
- Cosmos (Blue Note, 1971)
- Sweet Poppa Lou (Muse, 1981)
With Charles Earland
- Black Talk! (Prestige, 1969)
With Grant Green
- Carryin' On (Blue Note, 1969)
- Green Is Beautiful (Blue Note, 1970)
- Alive! (Blue Note, 1970)
- Live at Club Mozambique (Blue Note 2006, recorded 1971)
With Johnny Griffin
- NYC Underground (Galaxy, 1979 [1981])
- To the Ladies (Galaxy, 1979 [1982])
With Roy Hargrove
- Habana (Verve, 1997)
With Benjamin Herman
- Get In (1999)
With John Hicks
- Some Other Time (Theresa, 1981)
- In Concert (Theresa, 1984 [1986])
- Inc. 1 (DIW, 1985)
- I'll Give You Something to Remember Me By (Limetree, 1987)
- Is That So? (Timeless, 1991)
With Andrew Hill
- Grass Roots (Blue Note, 1968)
- Shippin' Out (Muse, 1978)
With Freddie Hubbard
- New Colors (Hip Bop Essence, 2001)
With Bobbi Humphrey
- Flute In (Blue Note, 1971)
With Willis Jackson
- Bar Wars (Muse, 1977)
With Ahmad Jamal
- The Essence Part One (Birdology, 1995)
- Big Byrd: The Essence Part 2 (Birdology, 1995)
- Nature: The Essence Part Three (Birdology, 1997)
- Picture Perfect (Birdology, 2000)
- Ahmad Jamal 70th Birthday/Olympia 2000 (Dreyfus, 2000)
- In Search of Momentum (Dreyfus, 2002)
- After Fajr (Dreyfus, 2005)
- It's Magic (Dreyfus, 2008)
With Bob James
- One (CTI, 1974)
- Touchdown (Tappan Zee, 1978)
With J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding
- Betwixt & Between (A&M/CTI, 1969)
With Etta Jones
- My Mother's Eyes (Muse, 1977)
- If You Could See Me Now (Muse, 1978)
With Rodney Jones
- Soul Manifesto (1991)
With Keystone Trio
- Heart Beats (1995)
- Newklear Music (1997)
With Charles Kynard
- Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People) (Prestige, 1970)
With Joe Lovano
- Friendly Fire (Blue Note, 1998)
- Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination Edition Two (Blue Note, 2000)
With Johnny Lytle
- Fast Hands (Muse, 1980)
- Good Vibes (Muse, 1982)
With Harold Mabern
- Workin' & Wailin' (Prestige, 1969)
- Greasy Kid Stuff! (Prestige, 1970)
With Roberto Magris
- Mating Call (JMood, 2010)
With Jimmy McGriff
- City Lights (JAM, 1981)
With Tete Montoliu
- Catalonian Rhapsody (Alfa, 1992)
With Tisziji Munoz
- Visiting This Planet (Anami Music
- Hearing Voices (Anami Music)
- Concrete Jungle (Prestige, 1978)
- Keep the Dream Alive (Prestige, 1978)
With Don Patterson
- Why Not... (Muse, 1978)
With Houston Person
- Person to Person! (Prestige, 1970)
- The Real Thing (Eastbound, 1973)
- Wild Flower (Muse, 1977)
With Ernest Ranglin
- Below the Bassline (Island, 1998)
With Roots
- Stablemates (In+Out, 1993)
With Pharoah Sanders
- Jewels of Thought (Impulse!, 1969)
- Journey to the One (Theresa, 1980)
- Pharoah Sanders Live... (Theresa, 1982)
- Heart is a Melody (Theresa, 1982)
- Shukuru (Theresa, 1985)
- Africa (Timeless, 1987)
With Horace Silver
- That Healin' Feelin' (Blue Note, 1970)
With John Scofield
- Groove Elation (Blue Note, 1995)
With Shirley Scott
- Lean on Me (Cadet, 1972)
With Lonnie Smith
- Turning Point (Blue Note, 1969)
With Melvin Sparks
- Sparks! (Prestige, 1970)
- Spark Plug (Prestige, 1971)
- Akilah! (Prestige, 1972)
With Leon Spencer
- Sneak Preview! (Prestige, 1970)
- Louisiana Slim (Prestige, 1971)
- Bad Walking Woman (Prestige, 1972)
- Where I'm Coming From (Prestige, 1972)
With Bob Stewart
- First Line (JMT, 1988)
With Sonny Stitt
- Turn It On! (Prestige, 1971)
- Black Vibrations (Prestige, 1971)
- Goin' Down Slow (Prestige, 1972)
With Gábor Szabó
- Macho (Salvation, 1975)
With Stanley Turrentine
- Common Touch (Blue Note, 1968)
- The Man with the Sad Face (Fantasy, 1976)
With Randy Weston
- Portraits of Duke Ellington (Verve, 1989)
- Portraits of Thelonious Monk (Verve, 1989)
- Self Portraits (Verve, 1989)
- Spirits of Our Ancestors (Verve, 1991)
With Reuben Wilson
- Love Bug (Blue Note, 1969)
Sampled
- Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique, "To All the Girls" (Capitol, 1989)
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