Abdul Wadud (1947–2022)

The cellist was seventy-five and long retired from music. The New York Times has an obituary.

I first heard Abdul Wadud on the Julius Hemphill albums ’Coon Bid’ness and Dogon A.D. Talk about waking-up music. I have the 1975 and 1977 Arista LPs — both in a secure location. Here, from ’Coon Bid’ness is “The Hard Blues,” recorded February 1972. Julius Hemphill, alto; Hamiet Bluiett, baritone; Baikida E. J. Carroll, trumpet; Abdul Wadud, cello; Philip Wilson, drums.

[Strange: Tuesday afternoon I was noodling on the guitar and began playing the cello figure that opens “Dogon A.D.” I hadn’t heard it or thought of it in a long time.]