NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT...

MUSIC:

Sister Mamie
CD: Live at Pep's
Originally released 1964, 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc

ALTHOUGH HIS PRIMARY INSTRUMENTS ARE TENOR SAXOPHONE AND FLUTE, NEA JAZZ MASTER YUSEF LATEEF HAS BEEN A LIFELONG STUDENT OF MUSIC FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD. OVER THE YEARS, HE'S INTRODUCED A PROFUSION OF NEW SOUNDS TO JAZZ.

Yusef Lateef: I believe that all humans have knowledge in each culture. That's why I studied with Saj Dev, an Indian flute player. That's why I studied Stockhausen's music. The Pygmees music of the rainforest is very rich music. And I also believe one should seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. With that kind of inquisitiveness, one discovers things that were unknown before. Charlie Parker said, "Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn.

THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH SAXOPHONIST AND FLUTIST YUSEF LATEEF WAS CREATED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.