Jaribu
Shahid hails from Detroit, Michigan, and was raised in a diverse
musical climate, playing with local luminaries such as Kenn
Cox, Wendell Harrison, Jimmy Wilkins, J.C. Heard, Martha and
the Vandellas and others. Principally self-taught, Jaribu's
training began in the band of friend Kamau kenyatta and in bass
studies with Bob Collins.
Around
1975 he was mentored by Faruq Z. Bey and joined the sci-fi band
Griot Galaxy. This explorative music, greatly influenced by
Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, featured the original
concepts by Faruq Z. Bey. This was further realized in 1976
when Tanni Tabal moved to Detroit, establishing the principal
rhythm section of his career. In 1978, he moved to Philadelphia
and lived with the core of the Sun Ra Arkestra with whom he
played intermittenly untils Sonny's passing.
In 1979
he had his first opportunity to work with Roscoe Mitchell. This
led to his career-long involvement with Roscoe in the Roscoe
Mitchell Sound Ensemble and, currently, the Roscoe Mitchell
Note Factory. In recent years, Jaribu has been a member of various
groups led by master saxophonist David Murray and the Freedom
Arts Quartet.
Jaribu
has recorded with Sun Ra, Roscoe Mitchell, James Carter, David
Murray, Geri Allen, Rod Williams, Craig Taborn, Hugh Ragin,
Abdoulaye Ndiaye and Blue Dog. He can be heard on the Milt Jackson
DVD "Vibes Surprise" recorded live in Munich. After
Malachi Favors' passing, he was invited to perform with the
Art Ensemble of Chicago.
