Ahmad Alaadeen, American jazz musician, died of bladder cancer.he was , 76

Ahmad Alaadeen ^[1] was a jazz saxophonist and educator whose career spanned over six decades died of bladder cancer.he was , 76. ^[2] A longtime fixture on the Kansas City jazz scene, Aladeen came to wider prominence in the 1990s with a series of self-released albums featuring his swing- and hard bop-oriented compositions that led Allmusic critic Scott Yannow to declare that the saxophonist "deserves to be much better known."

(July 24, 1934 – August 15, 2010)

Biography

Primarily known by his surname, Alaadeen was a student of Leo H. Davis in Kansas City. He began performing professionally at the age of 14, but would later study formally at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, St. Mary's College Chicago's DePaul University and Juilliard School. He also spent significant periods of time living in New York, Chicago, Denver, St. Louis and San Antonio. Alaadeen was a veteran of the US military music program, where he served as a member of the 4th US Army Band as featured jazz saxophonist and principal oboist in the organization's wind ensemble.

Since 1949, Alaadeen played with many of the greatest names in music; starting with jazz and blues musicians Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Jay McShann, Ella Fitzgerald, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Eddie Vinson, right up through Motown stars Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Sam Cooke.^[3] Along the way, he won awards including Billboard songwriting competitions for several of his original compositions. In 1996, his ensemble was picked as Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Band.
Alaadeen was recognized in his community and state as a master of the distinctive sound known as Kansas City jazz with his receipt of the Jazz Heritage Award, the Missouri Humanities Council's Community Heritage Award and the Missouri Arts Award. The Missouri Arts Council and the Mid-America Arts Alliance have awarded grants to Alaadeen and Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc. He was included in both organizations' Touring Artist Rosters.
In addition to performing with his jazz ensembles, Alaadeen continued to work as a significant jazz educator. Recently, he was inducted into the RT Coles/Lincoln High School "Outstanding Alumni Hall of Fame". Additionally, Alaadeen served with distinction for 6 years as Board Chairman of the Historic Mutual Musicians Foundation, located in the 18th and Vine Historic District of Kansas City.
On October 12, 2000, Congresswoman Karen McCarthy recognized Alaadeen in the United States House of Representatives for the contributions he has made to his community's understanding of its heritage. Congressional Record: October 13, 2000 (Extensions) [Page E1781-E1782] [DOCID:cr13oc00-48] See: GPO Online
On June 19, 2002, Missouri Governor, Bob Holden, honored Alaadeen at an official dinner at the Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City. In an effort to acknowledge Alaadeen for making a significant impact in the history, development and performance of Jazz, and to applaud Alaadeen for his outstanding achievements in the art form of Jazz, Alaadeen was issued a Proclamation from the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri.
On April 30, 2010, The American Jazz Museum honored Alaadeen with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Alaadeen developed several projects in the areas of recording, composing and publishing. He oversaw the growth, operations and management of ASR Records. Until his death, Alaadeen was an active performer, and wrote a method book, The Rest of the Story, Jazz Improvization and History. He also prepared many of his original compositions for performance by large jazz ensemble through Fandeen Publishing Company, Inc.
Ahmad Alaadeen died on August 15, 2010, from bladder cancer, at the age of 76.^[3]

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