Don Alias is my Uncle, My Father brother, Don use to tell me and teach me all about the way he played. He made me go to The late Great Jerry Gonzalez for classes. He was Bigger than life. such a fun loving uncle. I'm a working Drummer today because of Uncle Don, He open the doors for me. R.I.P to Don & Jerry they were Brothers in the world of the Conga, Plus his Trap Drumming was Amazing!! I'm around if you Talk! Peace!
I love this video! I got to see Don Alias perform live with Elvin Jones at Sluggs back in the day. Don was playing three congas at a time when very few players played three. Don went toe to toe rhythmically with Elvin Jones which was something to behold. Another unsung percussion hero is Ralph McDonald who in my opinion help revolutionized how percussion is played in pop music. It would be nice if you could do a video demonstrating Ralph McDonald's tumbao. As always many thanks to you.
Eric, it's so cool that a "kid" like you loves the '70s so much. It truly was the best time for mind - blowing jazz, and Don Alias certainly was a good part of that scene...I have him on several records. Thanks for bringing to life a great man and a great time! - Your "old" buddy, Mark
Yes! He was, mos def Thee Kat back in the day. God Rest his Soul. We were 2gether from 1971 to 1974. He put Jaco Pastorius on the map. He hooked him up w a Herbie session in NYC after he saw him playing in Fort Lauderdale @ a small club & the rest was history. He didn’t play Segundo on the left. It was Quinto, 2nd & Tumbao as You know. So Kool You put this video 2gether. I ♥️ the way You instruct. Peace & Bless 🆙.
Whoa. I just went down a Don Elias rabbit hole. I am familiar with and own a lot of the albums he played on. (Jaco, Weather report, Miles etc...) I had never knew that this beast of a player was on them and so many more! Thanks for the enlightenment
I need to thank you as your tutorials are not only inspiring for learning beautiful rhythms and techniques but also It's a way to learn about early congueros that shaped the basics and contributed in the evolution of conga playing today. I'm learning more with each of your videos. I never heard of Don before but i'm grateful you changed that. Muchas Thx! ..... By the way, guess who is coming to my hometown to perform in November ... I already got my ticket. Need a hint?
Yeah man! Don used to have the baqueteo on his left hand kinda like Anga- way off the edge of the drum. This is giving us a glimpse of timba style that would come around what- 20 years later? So awesome. He and Jack Dejohnette were a perfect pairing. If you haven't, check out their playing on Herbie's "The New Standard" record from the 90's. They do a thing on Stevie Wonder's "You've Got It Bad, Girl"... still puts a grin on my face :) Last thing- you should overdub a clave on your counting track when you can. I'd love to hear 2/3 rumba on this groove.
I ♥️ the way You Play! He didn’t seem to have the traditional 3 conga set up I discovered yrs later. He played traps w Nina in the “Summer of Soul” ‘1969 Harlem Festival. *The Harlem Cultural Festival took place on six Sundays beginning June 29 and ending August 24, 1969, in Mount Morris Park (now named Marcus Garvey Park). Directed by Amir “Questlove” Thompson. If You haven’t seen it, it is something to watch. RIP Charles “Don” Alias 🌹🕯️
Great pattern from a great (legendary) percussionist "Don Alias". Also a very good exercise for the left (weak) hand for slaps, alertness & initiative.
I don’t typically comment on videos but I appreciate this video, so wanted to say thanks. I would have never thought to try to pull a singular pattern out of that solo. Took quite a few reps to get it down, but pretty comfortable even at speed now... now what do do with it, haha. Fyi. I typically play with a extra low drum directly in front of my main drum, no problem at all to adapt the pattern to that instead of putting it off to the right poncho style. Cheers my friend, keep on keepin on.
thanks for this. yes don was something else. he was both a friend and mentor.....! his own influences include Patato Valdes and Big Black, who I hope you dive into someday. For this who wish to hear Don in some recordings not yet mentioned I recommend Miles "On the Corner" , Tony Williams "Ego" the first Weather Report (uncredited) and of course everyone know his conga work on Bitches Brew (listed as Charles Alais) appearing with Jumma Santos (listed as Jim Riley)...who is another great artist worth checking out by the way. He is also playing together with Patato on the Elvin Jones recording "Merry Go Round" . Don was a unique and creative player and a lovely and generous person and artist. To me, the fact that he developed his own way of approaching congas should inspire all to find their own voice and their own approach. this video is valuable in helping players place their roots in the ground which is the door to freedom. Thanks for the breakdown and sharing it!
Yes Don Alias , was not your typical percussionist. He was unique because he fused his hand drumming and drum set into his personal style. If you listen to that pattern it is his adaptation of Bata rhythm Chachalokafun. He was very adventurous in his approach. When Miles Davis saw him with the late Nina Simone he snatched him. I remember him checking me out at 7th Avenue South in the Village very nice person. Thanks for posting and I see you know about Big Black another innovative .
I seriously wanted to mention how he would fusion things with bata rhythms but didn’t want to get the Bata purists mad haha but yes it is extremely similar!!! And of course man!!! Big Black is that man!!!
Yeah man just too bad people don't know him for he is awesome so I enjoyed this! Yes I am one with a different style of bongos & congas so Don is a little bit of my style so this just made my day when I watched this today!
Oh yeah!! Haven't even watched, yet! So excited He played with Joni Mitchel too..they were lovers for awhile. There is a very inexpensive ebook on Amazon about his life. Really good, easy, read. Where are the other Day Twos?
His playing on joni mitchell shadows and light live album is really good. Would be good to see you play the song dreamland. Is not super fast but its a funky tumbao
I feel like it fits best in a 2/3 son clave. Especially after hearing it after the one. Keep in mind Don Alias did this pattern in the middle of a solo so it didn't have much context to. So I'm guessing here haha
I am actually a medical student in my last 2 years, and I loooooove everything about music. But I wouldn't ever choose to drop out because I would be losing so much progress... but then again I'm not Don Elias 😉
