Jamaaladeen Tacuma

Jamaaladeen Tacuma
Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Vienna 2008)
Background information
Birth name	Rudy McDaniel
Born	(1956-06-11) June 11, 1956 (age 60) Hempstead, New York
Genres	Jazz, free jazz, free funk, jazz fusion
Instruments	Electric bass
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Gramavision

Jamaaladeen Tacuma (born Rudy McDaniel, June 11, 1956) is an American free jazz bassist born in Hempstead, New York. He was a bandleader on the Gramavision label and worked with Ornette Coleman during the 1970s and 1980s, mostly in Coleman's Prime Time band.

Tacuma showcased a unique style of avant-garde jazz on Coleman's 1982 album Of Human Feelings, and became widely viewed as one of the most distinctive bassists since Jaco Pastorius. He formed his own group, and recorded albums that incorporated commercially accessible melodies while retaining Prime Time's elaborate harmonies. His 1988 album Jukebox was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989.

Tacuma, raised in Philadelphia, showed interest in music at a young age, performing with the organist Charles Earland in his teens. Through Earland Tacuma came to know the record producer Reggie Lucas, who introduced Jamaaladeen to Ornette Coleman in 1975 at age 19. As the electric bassist for Coleman's funky harmolodic Prime Time group, Tacuma rose to prominence quickly; guitarist Bern Nix was another band member. While with Prime Time, Tacuma relied mostly on traditional technique, picking with his fingers. His later work showcased a more rhythmic, thumb-slapping funk approach.