RIP Don Alias

[Allan Johnston]

Jazz drummer and conguero extraordiare Don Alias has passed away. One of the truly great percussionist/drummers, like Airto or Willie Bobo, who could lay it down in clave or SWING HIS ASS OFF. I remember seeing him do both with Joni Mitchell (on the tour with Jaco, Metheny, Brecker and Mays), but perhaps his most creative recorded work is with the smokin' trio Stone Alliance (with Steve Grossman and Gene Perla).

http://www.stonealliance.com/

RIP Don...

[Allan Johnston]

Here's National Public Radio producer/reporter Felix Contreras with a personal obit on Don Alias. Felix is an exellent conguero himself with the DC-based Afro Bop Alliance.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5333397