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All Music Guide:
A versatile drummer who has mostly been associated with the avant-garde, Pheeroan akLaff has appeared with some of the more adventurous musicians in jazz of the past 20 years. Early on, he played with Jay Hoggard (1975) and then in New Haven, CT, with Leo Smith's New Dalta Ahkri. In addition to a longtime association with altoist Oliver Lake (including work with the reggae group Jump Up), akLaff has worked with Henry Threadgill's Sextet, New Air (where he replaced Steve McCall for Air's last couple of recordings during 1983-1986), George Adams, Sonny Sharrock, Anthony Davis, James Newton, Cecil Taylor, and Myra Melford. akLaff has recorded as a leader for Gramavision (an obscure EP in 1983) and Mu (1989).
Wikipedia:
Pheeroan akLaff (born January 27, 1955) is an American jazz drummer. Pheeroan akLaff began playing in his hometown of Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Michigan with Travis Biggs, Ars Nova, The Ebony Set, The Last Days, and Rod Lumpkin, recorded with Major Lansky. Moved to New Haven, Connecticut and formed DejaVu with Dwight Andrews. Debuted with Bill Baron in 1975; followed by tenure in Leo Smith's New Dalta Ahkri.
Later developed a longstanding association with Oliver Lake, which included writing for their fusion ensemble, Jump Up. His performance and recorded history includes works with Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Reggie Workman and many others. He is co-founder of Seed Artists Inc. of Brooklyn 2006. He is Wesleyan University music teacher.