Muhammad Ali (drummer)

For other people named Muhammad Ali, see Muhammad Ali (disambiguation).

Muhammad Ali (born Raymond Patterson, 1936) is a free jazz drummer.

Ali was born and grew up in Philadelphia. He, along with his father and brothers, converted to Islam. He recorded with Albert Ayler in 1969 on the sessions released as Music is the Healing Force of the Universe and The Last Album. He moved to Europe in 1969 along with Frank Wright, Noah Howard, and Bobby Few. His brother is Rashied Ali.

The Jazz Discography states that Ali participated in 26 recording sessions from 1967 to 1983.

In October 2006, Ali played a concert to celebrate John Coltrane's 80th birthday in Philadelphia with his brother, Dave Burrell and bassist Reggie Workman. He is also playing with Noah Howard in the summer of 2008.

Ali spent six weeks teaching Haaz Sleiman to play drums for his part as a drummer in The Visitor, and spent some time teaching Richard Jenkins drums for his lead role in the same film.

Discography

As sideman

With Albert Ayler

• The Last Album
• Holy Ghost: Rare & Unissued Recordings (1962-70)
• Music Is the Healing Force of the Universe

With Bobby Few

• More or Less Few

With Noah Howard

• The Black Ark (Freedom, 1969)

With Saheb Sarbib

• Live In Europe Vols 1 & 2

With Archie Shepp

• Pitchin Can
• Coral Rock
• Doodlin'

With Alan Shorter

• Orgasm (Verve, 1968)

With David S. Ware

• Planetary Unknown (AUM Fidelity, 2011)
• Live at Jazzfestival Saalfelden 2011 (AUM Fidelity, 2012)

With Frank Wright

• Your Prayer
• One for John
• Church Number Nine
• Last Polka In Nancy?
• Adieu, Little Man
• Unity