Michael Mustafa Ulmer

Jazz Piano/Vocals/Didjeridoo/Percussionist: About this Artist...M I c H A e l M u s T A f a U l m E R - A native to the "Motor City", and raised with a very unique palette of musical influences, ranging from Harmolodic/Jazz to Motown's R&B wonders, even to the early days of Rap. ‘It was like living in a sonic cocoon for 18 years, soaking up every bit of musical experience I could rap my ears around...”, says Mustafa. "By the time I was finishing high school, I knew what I wanted to do and say!!!" Having graduated from Indiana Universtiy's School of Music, young Ulmer toured with Harmolodic Guitarist icon and father, James 'Blood' Ulmer.In early January of 1998, just returning from an Australian tour with Didjeridoo in hand with Blood's "Blues Experience Project”. Mustafa started to perform with William 'Spaceman' Patterson's house band for the T.V. show "New York Undercover" and this is where he got a chance to work with some of Motown’s living legends, artists like Roberta Flack, The Temptations and The Four Tops.Presently, he leads his jazz project know as Mustafa’s Didjazz Quartet, an ensemble featuring saxophonist's such as, Patience Higgins and/or Bill Saxton. Here Ulmer explores the improvisational realms of jazz with "Free" inspired melodies on piano, droning to hypnotic grooves on the Didjeridoo. In addition, he works as musical director/keyboardist for singer/poet Camille Yarbrough, quoted by Source Magazine as "The Foremother of Hip Hop".Mustafa is also on staff at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater school of dance, accompanying Modern/Afro.Caribbean-(Haitian)/Tap classes. It is here that working with mentor's Kevin Burrell, Ajibilu a.k.a. Willie White, Victor See-Yuen (Heritage Op.), Roderick Jackson (Palms Down) and Michael Wimberly (Composer/ Percussionist/Pianist), that his palette grew to include the world of percussion. Specifically studying the hand drums of Conga, Djembe, Darbuka, Udu and an unshakable, sincere focus and study of blowin’ the Aborigines Didjeridoo. Ulmer focuses on the traditional rhythms and songs from the cultures of Western and Northern Africa, Haiti, India and Australia.In 2003-2004, Mustafa had the pleasure of working with world renown modern choreographer Donald McKayle, as singer for the ballet "Games". This was performed with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre for they're debut engagement at the Kennedy Center’s Imagination Celebration Series: Performances for Young People and Families. Ulmer also crossed paths with Bill T. Jones in accompanying a few masterclasses at Aaron Davis Hall. Plus, he performed with recording artist El Debarge at B.B. King's Club in New York City.Today, in 2008 and beyond, Mustafa continues to explore the musical side of the dance world, while composing and writing original music in New York for one of is new projects. A Trio titled “Sons Of Blood” with the instrumentation of acoustic guitar/cello and Ulmer’s palette of piano/vocals/didjeridoo and percussion. You can also find Ulmer performing with some of New York City’s most note worthy artist and choreographer’s like Rhythm Republik, Aziza’s (Def Dance Jam Workshop), Earl Mosley's (Diversity of Dance Repertory Company) and Dr. Glory Van Scott (Dr. Glory’s Youth Theatre).I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4