Ear Expansion with Pheeroan akLaff

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a deep conversation with acclaimed drummer Pheeroan akLaff. The discussion begins with Pheeroan's early musical influences growing up in Detroit, a city rich in black sonic imagination and cultural history. Pheeroan reminisces about his early experiences in rhythm, initially shaped by his parents' love for jazz and reinforced through his spiritual involvement in the AME Church. He reflects on foundational moments such as hearing Alice Coltrane perform live and being mentored by artists like Marcus Belgrave and Travis Biggs. The conversation also explores Pheeroan's time in New York's vibrant loft scene of the 1970s, where he collaborated with icons like Rashied Ali, Oliver Lake, and Wadada Leo Smith, developing a unique approach to rhythm and musical expression. Pheeroan further delves into his travels in Africa during the 1980s, meeting influential figures like Fela Kuti and how these experiences deepened his understanding of rhythm as a form of communal and spiritual practice. The episode concludes with Pheeroan discussing his current work, his work with PHP (Serpentine Story), and his continuous quest to blend spirituality with musical innovation.