Muhammad Ali (drummer)

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Muhammad Ali (b. Raymond Patterson) was a free jazz drummer and brother to the better known Rashied Ali who famously replaced Elvin Jones as drummer in John Coltrane's band. Ali, who grew up in Philadelphia, PA appears on records by Frank Wright as part of the Center of the World Quartet, as well as Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, Dave Burrell and Alan Shorter. There is very little information available about Ali though he has played on what most consider extremely important free jazz records.

The Jazz Discography states that Ali participated in 26 recording sessions from 1967 to 1983. In October 2006, Ali played a concert to celebrate John Coltrane's 80th birthday in Philadelphia with his brother, Burrell and bassist Reggie Workman. He is also playing with Noah Howard in the summer of 2008.

Quoted from www.fireandflux.com: "Rashied Ali’s lesser known but equally or perhaps even more bombastic brother. Muhammad played often with Frank Wright and the “Center of the World” group (with Bobby Few and Alan Silva). His playing is very muscular, very heavy and often with an almost-clumsy sound. Muhammad was an ideal propeller for Wright, one of jazz’s heaviest tenor players. At times, one could get tired out just listening to the exhausting stamina of Muhammad’s longer solos. Check him out on Frank Wright’s 'Center of the World, Volume 1', and Noah Howard’s 'The Black Ark.'"

Note: Ali's name is also spelled "Mohammed" at times.

Ali spent six weeks teaching Haaz Sleiman to play drums for his part as a drummer in The Visitor, and spent some time teaching Richard Jenkins drums for his lead role in the same film.^{[citation needed]}

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