The Pyramids | Artist

The Pyramids is an American Afro-Jazz band founded 1970 in Antioch College, Ohio, by Bruce Baker aka Idris Ackamoor as part of Cecil Taylor's Black Music Ensemble. The band toured Africa in the 1970s, adding musicians and new instruments, before returning to the US and settling in San Francisco. The band split up in 1977, but Ackamoor has reformed the Pyramids on several occasions. The lineup comprises Ackamoor (saxophone), Margo Simmons (flute), Kimathi Asante (bass, harp, percussion), Bradie Speller (percussion), Mark "Heshima" Williams (bass), Kenneth Nash (vocals), Donald Robinson (bongos, drums, percussion) and Kash Killion (cello). Their style of music has been described as spiritual afro-jazz, which draws free jazz, funk, and African tribal themes. The band has released seven studio albums, the last three of which have been under the artist title Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids. Standout albums include Lalibela, King of Kings, Birth/Speed/Merging, and the excellent 2012 compilation They Play to Make Music Fire! 1973-1976. Idris Ackamoor also releases solo works, plus he released the superb 2014 live album Idrissa's Dream, by side project The Collective.

Artist Website: wikipedia/Idris_Ackamoor

Featured Albums: The Pyramids

Related Artists: Idris Ackamoor, The Collective