b. Alphonzo Mouzon, 21st November 1948, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.
d. 26th December 2016, Northridge, California, U.S.A.
Alphonse Mouzon is a highly talented drummer, songwriter and producer.
He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1948.
Alphonse took to the drums as a child and played for a local society orchestra.
His first real job, however, was as a laboratory technician after studying at medical school.
At the age of 21 he toured with Roy Ayers (later recording with Roy on his debut Polydor album 'Ubiquity'), and worked on the Broadway show 'Promises, Promises'.
Alphonse recorded his first record date in 1969 with Gil Evans.
Alphonse also toured with Gil Evans, George Benson, Chubby Checker, Weather Report, McCoy Tyner, Donald Byrd and Larry Coryell.
With Larry Coryell he formed a fusion jazz ensemble '11th House' prior to signing as a solo artist to the Blue Note label in 1972.
There he cultivated a unique style of writing and playing.
He recorded four albums of an R & B / dance style, including 'The Essence Of Mystery' (Blue Note 1972), 'Funky Snakefoot' (Blue Note 1973) and 'The Man Incognito' (Blue Note 1976), including 'Take Your Troubles Away'.
1980's 'By All Means' featured Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Michael Brecker and Freddie Hubbard.
The album was so well received on the UK jazz funk scene that Alphonse was brought in to appear at London's Horseshoe Hotel in 1981 (a venue that featured a pioneer of the Acid Jazz genre, Paul Murphy).
A follow-up album 'Morning Sun' was also released that year, both on the Pausa label.
Alphonse also recorded fusion Jazz / R & B albums for the MPS and High Rise ('Distant Lover', 1983) labels and a 12" single entitled 'Our Love Is Hot' (1984) for Private 1 (via CBS).
In 1985 he returned to Pausa for 'The Sky Is The Limit' prior to moving to Optimism for 1988's 'Early Spring' (including 'I Can Give You Love').
Alphonse has recorded with Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard among many other artists.
During the Nineties, he recorded for his own Tenacious label.
Alphonse, sadly, passed away in December 2016.
Albums:
The Essence of Mystery (Blue Note 1972)
Funky Snakefoot (Blue Note 1973)
Mind Transplant (Blue Note 1974)
The Man Incognito (Blue Note 1975)
Virtue (Pausa 1976)
Back Together Again (Atlantic 1977)
In Search of a Dream (MPS 1978)
By All Means (Verve 1980)
Baby Come Back (MPS 1981)
Morning Sun (Pausa 1981)
Step into the Funk (Polydor 1982)
Distant Lover (High Rise 1984)
The Sky Is the Limit (Pausa 1985)
Back to Jazz (Pausa 1985)
Eleventh House (Pausa 1985)
Love, Fantasy (Optimism 1987)
Early Spring (MPC Records 1988)
As You Wish (Jazzline 1990)
The Survivor (Tenacious 1992)
On Top of the World (Tenacious 1994)
The Night is Still Young (Tenacious 1996)
Alphonse Mouzon (Sonopresse 1997)
Absolute Greatest Love Songs & Ballads (Tenacious 1998)
Live in Hollywood (Tenacious Records 2001)
Jazz in Bel Air (Tenacious Records 2008)
Angel Face (Tenacious Records 2011)
