In the Tradition Jazz Ensemble Brief Biography

In the Tradition Jazz Ensemble is a 10-piece band based in Detroit, Michigan. For close to 30 years, the band has distinguished itself for its impeccable delivery of jazz music with an African-centered perspective. In the Tradition’s performances throughout the Detroit area and the Midwest, of both original compositions and jazz standards, has earned the band respect among its peers in the music industry and a wide following.

The band has recorded six CDs and its music is played over college radio jazz shows across the country, and radio stations around the globe.

Band leader, Olujimi (O-loo-gee-me) Tafataona, plays saxophone, flute and clarinet, and is the principal composer and arranger of the band’s original compositions, including “African Beauty,” “Pan-African Prayer.” “Yurugu,” “Stephen,” “Time and Place,” and a profound suite of new music to be released later this year. Other members of In the Tradition are: Fred Bergman, tenor/soprano saxophone (filling in for Danny Carthane); Kefentse Chike, percussions; Karim Gideon, trumpet/flugelhorn/mellophonium (a French horn hybrid); Michelle “Jahra” McKinney, vocals and percussions; Foluke Shearer, piano; Calvin Taylor, baritone, saxophone; Alex Webb, bass; and Chris White, drums.

In the Tradition is scheduled to release a double CD in early 2023—its first since the COVID-19 pandemic halted the recording and production of music for the band. In addition, the band is hard at work recording music for “The Devil’s Punchbowl,” a suite of original music written by Tafataona, that pays homage to the 20,000 African Americans who suffered genocidal death in Natchez, Mississippi in 1865.