1. Don Moye is most known for his involvement with the Art Ensemble of Chicago and is noted for his mastery of African and Caribbean percussion instruments and rhythmic techniques.
11 Facts About Don Moye
1. 2.
Don Moye was exposed to jazz at an early age since his mother worked for a local social club, that had a jazz club next door, which hosted musicians such as Kenny Burrell and Jimmy McGriff.
3.
Don Moye's family was musically inclined; his uncles played saxophones and his father played drums.
4.
Don Moye went on to study percussion at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
5.
Don Moye lived in a building with trumpeter Charles Moore, who became his mentor.
6.
Don Moye played in the groups African Cultural Ensemble, which included musicians from African countries such as Ghana, and Detroit Free Jazz, which was Moore's band.
7.
In early 1968, Moore's band traveled to Europe and Don Moye decided to live there for the next couple of years, touring and visiting the continent as well as Northern Africa.
8.
Don Moye was in a duo with fellow percussionist Steve McCall who later was a member of Air with Henry Threadgil while still playing with the AEC.
9.
Don Moye has recorded numerous solo albums as leader of his own band.
10.
Don Moye toured and recorded again with the AEC in the 1990s, which was dealt a blow with the 1999 death of Bowie.
11.
Don Moye refers to his own style of drumming as "Sun Percussion".