Drummers · 1939–2006

Don Alias

American jazz percussionist (1939–2006)

Born: 25 December 1939
New York City
Died: 28 March 2006
New York City
Country: United States
Active: 1960–

Biography

Don Alias was a jazz musician who played drum kit and percussion instrument. Don Alias was born on 25 December 1939 in New York City and died on 28 March 2006 in New York City. The music is usually filed under jazz and post-bop.

Charles "Don" Alias (ah-LIE-ahs; December 25, 1939 – March 28, 2006) was an American jazz percussionist. Alias was best known for playing congas and other hand drums. He was also a capable drum kit performer. He played drums on the song "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down" from trumpeter Miles Davis's album Bitches Brew (1969), when neither Lenny White nor Jack DeJohnette was able to play the marching band-inspired rhythm requested by Davis. He also played drums and percussion on the Joni Mitchell live album Shadows and Light. Alias performed on hundreds of recordings and was best known for his associations with Miles Davis and saxophonist David Sanborn. He also performed and recorded with artists such as Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Nina Simone, and many others.

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Also plays on

Albums where Don Alias is credited as a sideman

1969	To Love Somebody — Nina Simone	drums (drum set), percussion
1970	Bitches Brew — Miles Davis	congas, drums (drum set)
1973	Love Devotion Surrender — Carlos Santana & Mahavishnu John McLaughlin	drums (drum set)
1977	Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter — Joni Mitchell	bongos, claves, congas, vocals, snare drum, shakers
1979	Mingus — Joni Mitchell	congas
1980	Shadows and Light — Joni Mitchell	drums (drum set), congas
1989	Amandla — Miles Davis	percussion