Famoudou Don Moye

• projects as a leader •

• video •

Famoudou Don Moye Trio "VaL Verde" - live at Porgy & Bess - Vienna on May 16th, 2022

• biography •

He is since 1969 the drummer and percussionist of The Art Ensemble of Chicago with whom he recorded more than 70 CDs among the 180 CDs of his discography.
Born in Rochester / New York in 1946 in a music loving family, he studied music and philosophy at Wayne State University in Detroit where he met the trumpet player, Charles Moore who became his mentor, and where in 1966 he first heard the trio of Roscoe Mitchell, Lester Bowie and Malachi Favors and later Joseph Jarman who went on to become.

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO, GREAT BLACK MUSIC / ANCIENT TO THE FUTURE

Famoudou Don Moye has performed with numerous musicians on the American and international music circuit among them Randy Weston, Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron, Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Pharaoh Saunders, Sun Ra All Stars, Von & Chico Freeman Quintet, Sam Rivers, Don Cherry, Wadada Leo Smith, Hamiett Bluiett, David Murray, Oliver Lake, Famoudou Konate, Fontella Bass, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Cobham, Billy Higgins, Roy Haynes, Cecil Mc Bee, Jack De Jonette, Philly Joe Jones, Kenny Clarke, Milford Graves, Frank Lacy, The Leaders, Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy, Don Pullen, Cecil Taylor and many more.
He continues performing and recording with The Art Ensemble of Chicago which is now celebrating it's 50th anniversary 1969 - 2019.
Knowed and recognized for his knowledge and continuing studies of world rhythms and Afro-carabean music, he continues his research of traditional rhythms of Guinée, Mali, Senegal, Congo, Marocco, Cuba, and the Blues, Gospel, Jazz and popular music of the African American Cultural Tradition. He remains committed to the relentless pursuit of The Pan African Pulse throughout The Diaspora and beyond.
He presents internationally workshops and master classes for drums, percussion and multiinstrumental improvisation for individuals and collectives : GRIM (Groupe de Recherche d'Improvisation Musicale) Marseille/France, Conservatoire de Musique de Brest/France, Université de Toulouse/France, F.O.L (Fédération des Oeuvres Laïques) Casablanca/Maroc, Apositsia Festival, St Petersburg/Russie etc.

• interviews •

Art Ensemble of Chicago celebrates 50 years by Nate Chinen
Interview by Jake Feinberg

• press review •

Photo Reportage by Frank Bigotte

• credits •

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