Pullen, Don (Gabriel)

Pullen, Don (Gabriel) , avant-garde jazz pianist, organist, composer; b. Roanoke, Va., Dec. 25, 1941; d. N.Y., April 23, 1995. He began playing at 10. He studied with Muhal Richard Abrams and Giuseppe Logan, before making his recording debut with Logan in 1964. He had his own groups and also worked with Milford Graves in a duo. He composed and arranged for King, and led his own R&B organ group. He worked for a year with Nina Simone (1970–71), with saxophonist Charles Williams, and briefly with Art Blakey (1974). But it was his stint with Charles Mingus (1973–75) that got him substantial attention for his vibrant style and expressive use of clusters of notes over tonal grooves. He and Mingus ban/Dennis McIntireate George Adams began co-leading a group in 1979, following several European tours Pullen had made with his own bands. The Pullen/Adams group was a staple on the 1980s jazz scene until they disbanded when Adams died. Pullen’s quintet in 1985 featured Olu Darà, Donald Harrison, Fred Hopkins, and Bobby Battle on drums. He also gave solo concerts. Pullen died of cancer.

Discography

Nommo (1966); Solo Piano Album (1975); Jazz a confonto (1975); Capricorn Rising (1975); Tomorrow’s Promises (1976); Healing Force (1976); Montreux Concert (1977); Warriors (1978); Magic Triangle (1979); Earth Beams with George Adams Quartet (1980); Evidence of Things Unseen (1983); Plays Monk (1984); Decisions (1984); Well Kept Secret (1985); Sixth Sense (1985); Breakthrough (1986); Song Everlasting (1987); Live at the Village Vanguard, V (1987); New Beginnings (1988); N.Y. Duets (1989); Random Thoughts (1990); Kele Mou Bana (1991); Ode to Life (1993); Live…Again (1995).

—Lewis Porter/Music Master Jazz and Blues Catalogue