Pheeroan akLaff's signature drumming of over thirty years with adventuresome composers has been voluminously documented. His musical background of Detroit was broadened by living and working in Abidjan, and by meeting Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Sonny Okosun, and Steve Rhodes through Frank T. Fairfax. He participated in U.S. State Department touring of nine African nations, the Near East, and India. His associations with Wadada Leo Smith, Oliver Lake, Anthony Davis, Henry Threadgill, Sonny Sharrock, Yamashita Yosuke, Liu Sola, Henry Brant, and Andrew Hill feature his contributions to innovative musical systems.
As a bandleader he has performed at the Willisau festival of Switzerland, Sju festival of the Netherlands, Montsalvat festival of Australia, the Moers, and Nurnberg festivals of Germany. He led the Double Duo ensemble with his mentor Rashied Ali.
He perfoms in many multi-media, and interdisciplinary processes, including solo performances in sacred theater settings. He also performs with Austrian born painter Peter Tschulnigg creating large interactive works. He created the theater production "Frederick Douglass Chronicles", adapting the letters of the 19th Century statesman with a live music ensemble. He conducts residencies in Japan, Austria, Poland, Korea and Colombia.
Pheeroan akLaff's latest recording Dear Freedom Suite Live in Japan Volume One becomes available this Spring.
Film Soundtracks
Hewitt Collection of African American Art, documentary by Charles Martin, 2008
Hats by Bunn, documentary by Charles Martin, 2007
Ed Clark: A Brush With Success, documentary by Charles Martin 2006
Sweet Samoa by Tomas Casas 2003
Awards
New York Foundation for the Arts - Composition, 2000
Publications
Jazz and Spirituality; published by MyUni - Austria, 2010
Manuscripts
A View From Thrones; Three Jazz impresarios of Japan
Rhythm and Stasis; a drum-set method manual
Solo Recordings
Drumßet Variations 2010
Drum- set Variations 2002
House of Spirit; Mirth 1981
Duo Recordings
Brooklyn Waters, 1999, with Michael Cain
Revolutionary Quill, 2003, with Anthony Braxton
Ensemble Leader Recordings
Global Mantras, 1997
Sonogram –1989
Fits Like A Glove –1983
Print Articles on Pheeroan akLaff
Musicworks (Canada) Stuart Broomer interview January 2013
Slagwerk Magazine (Holland) Hugo Pinksterboer interview January 2012
Jazz Magazine (Spain) Jorge Lopez Gereñu interview Autumn 2010
Hot House Magazine cover article by Paul Blair April 2004
Coda Magazine (Canada) cover article by Jerry D'Souza July/August 1997
Signature Magazine Japan, Dr. Tekemura interview April 1996
The Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Jordan interview, January 1996
Modern Drummer, Noah Howard interview 12/95,
Drums Magazine Japan, Interview 1991
Marie Claire Japan, CD review 1990,Jazz Podium, Germany 1989
Musician Magazine Ted Drozdowski interview June 1989
RYTMI Magazine Finland #9-10 interview November1987
Modern Drummer, Chip Stern interview May 1984
Midday Times Bombay, India interview January 1984
Coda Magazine (Canada) #186 interview January 1982
Ivoire Dimanche Magazine Ivory Coast#537 J.S. Bakiono interview June 1981
Ophelia Magazine Nigeria Volume 2 Frank Fairfax interview January 1981
