Representative Albums: "Funky Snakefoot," "Mind Transplant," "In Search of a Dream"
Representative Songs: "By All Means," "The Lady in Red," "Seduction"
Biography
Several different drummers helped put jazz fusion on the map in the '70s. The one who seems to get most of the credit is Billy Cobham, but others, such as Alphonse Mouzon, contributed quite a bit to the cause as well. Born on November 21, 1948, in Charleston, SC, Mouzon got serious with his drumming in high school, where he studied with both a saxophonist and a drummer. Relocating to New York City in the late '60s to attend college, Mouzon had a hard time deciding between a career in music, drama, or medicine. Music wound up getting the nod by the dawn of the '70s, when Mouzon served as a session drummer on recordings by Tim Hardin (Bird on a Wire), Gil Evans (Gil Evans), Weather Report (Weather Report), Norman Connors (Dance of Magic), John Klemmer (Magic and Movement), and Teruo Nakamura (Unicorn). Mouzon also began issuing solo albums around this time, including such early releases as 1972's The Essence of Mystery and 1973's Funky Snakefoot. But Mouzon decided to take a momentary break from session work to concentrate on being a full-time member of Larry Coryell's Eleventh House, with whom he appeared on several releases with from 1974 through 1975 (Introducing Larry Coryell & the Eleventh House, At Montreux, Level One, etc.). Throughout it all though, Mouzon never stopped issuing solo albums on a regular basis, including arguably his finest solo release, 1974's Mind Transplant, which would have undoubtedly garnered more attention if it wasn't issued so close to Cobham's 1973 classic Spectrum. Mouzon has also collaborated with others from time to time (such as the release Trilogue Live!, credited to Albert Mangelsdorff, Jaco Pastorius, and Mouzon) as well as teamed up from time to time with his old friend Coryell (1977's Back Together Again and also a full Eleventh House reunion during the late '90s). Mouzon isn't limited to just fusion however, as he's proven his versatility by either recording with or performing alongside the likes of Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Patrick Moraz, Tommy Bolin, and Chubby Checker. Additionally, Mouzon has returned sporadically to his other love, acting, including a part alongside Tom Hanks in the 1996 film, That Thing You Do!, and also serves as chairman/CEO for his own record label, Tenacious Records. Mouzon continues to issue albums, and also tours Europe and the U.S. on a regular basis -- leading his own trio, quartet, or quintet. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Alphonse Mouzon (21 November, 1948) is a well known jazz-fusion drummer and percussionist, and the Chairman/CEO of Tenacious Records. He also composes, arranges and produces, as well as acts. Alphonse Mouzon's popularity as a performing artist first became realized in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Perhaps Mouzon's main claim to fame was his tenure with guitarist Larry Coryell's Eleventh House fusion band from 1973-1975. His explosive power, style and speed helped propel this exceptional band to notoriety. Albums from this period include Introducing the Eleventh House, Level One, Mind Transplant (a solo album), and in 1977, a reconciliation recording with Coryell entitled Back Together Again.
He recorded four albums of an R & B / dance style, including The Essence Of Mystery (Blue Note 1972), Funky Snakefoot (Blue Note 1973) and The Man Incognito (Blue Note 1976), including 'Take Your Troubles Away' and in the 1980s By All Means featured Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Michael Brecker and Freddie Hubbard.
Alphonse Mouzon has also played and/or recorded with most of the active musicians of the jazz-fusion genre throughout his career. In 1991, he performed with Miles Davis on the movie soundtrack album entitled "Dingo". Mouzon composed the song "The Blue Spot" for the jazz club scene and appeared as an actor and drummer in the Tom Hanks-directed film, That Thing You Do in 1996. Alphonse Mouzon played the lead role as "Miles" in the film The High Life. He also can be seen with Michael Keaton and Katie Holmes in the film First Daughter, and as 'Ray" in the movie The Dukes, along with Robert Davi, Chazz Palminteri and Peter Bogdanovich.
In 1992, Alphonse Mouzon formed Tenacious Records and, also in 1992, released his Top ten CD entitled The Survivor. Subsequent releases on Tenacious Records On Top of the World, Early Spring, By All Means, Love Fantasy, Back to Jazz, As You Wish, The Night is Still Young, The Sky is the Limit, Distant Lover, Morning Sun, and Absolute Greatest Love Songs and Ballads were all at least top twenty albums. Live In Hollywood is the latest album.
Mouzon also played on a recording with Albert Mangelsdorff (Trombone), and Jaco Pastorius (Bass), named Trilogue. Originally recorded in 1976 and re-released in 2005, this performance was from November 6, 1976 at the Berlin Jazz Days.
He currently resides in Northridge, California with his daughter Emma Alexandra and their Shih Tzu named Princess.
