Famoudou Don Moye

by Chris Kelsey
Although hes played with many other prominent free jazz musicians, Don Moye is far and away best known for his work with the most highly acclaimed avant-garde combo of the 70s and 80s, the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Moye immediately added a more explicit rhythmic sensibility upon joining the previously drummer-less group. The bands ability to groove was greatly enhanced by his presence. Moye was capable of swinging in a conventional jazz manner, but it was his mastery of various African and Caribbean percussion instruments and rhythmic techniques that set him apart from other jazz drummers of his generation.
Moye studied percussion at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he worked with trumpeter Charles Moores Detroit Free Jazz. Moores band traveled to Europe in May of 1968. Once there, Moye traveled the continent and Northern Africa, working with such players as Steve Lacy, Sonny Sharrock, and Pharoah Sanders. In 1969, the Art Ensemble arrived in Paris. The band had been performing without a drummer in the two years since their inception. In Paris they decided to hire a full-time drummer and found Moye at the American Center for Students and Artists. Moyes extremely active, pattern-based polyrhythmic style lent the group a drive and cohesion that they had (to some degree) lacked. Along with Jarman and Favors, Moye took to wearing African face paint and clothing in performance with the Art Ensemble.
Moye has long been active in contexts apart from the Art Ensemble. Before moving to Chicago in 1971, Moye played with musicians associated with the Black Artists Group in St. Louis. In the 70s, he played with pianist Randy Weston and formed a percussion duo with fellow AACM member Steve McCall. Moye played and recorded in a variety of jazz settings, from modal to bop to free. In 1984, he became a member of the Leaders, a collection of avant-jazz all-stars Lester Bowie, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, Don Cherry, and Kirk Lightsey. Moye recorded as a leader himself, notably on the Art Ensembles own AECO label: in 1975, as a solo percussionist (Sun Percussion, Vol. 1); in 1993, as co-leader of the Joseph Jarman/Famoudou Don Moye Magic Triangle Band (Calypsos Smile); and in 1996, as co-leader, with Enoch Williamson of the Sun Percussion Summit (Afrikan Song).