Abdul Wadud, a great cellist, has remained focused on his instrument since he was nine years old. He never took up bass. His plucking and bowed solos were featured in jazz and symphonic/classical settings. Wadud is easily the best cellist from the ’60s to ’70s. In the late ’60s, he studied at Youngstown State College and Oberlin. He was a member of the Black Unity Trio at Oberlin, and met Julius Hemphill. They continued to work together through the 1980s. Wadud was a member of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s 1970s orchestra and received his master’s degree from the University of New Jersey in 1972. Arthur Blythe was Wadud’s first encounter in 1976. He has maintained a close working relationship with him ever since. In the 1970s and 1980s, he recorded and worked with Frank Lowe and Oliver Lake, Sam Rivers (Sam Rivers), Cecil Taylor and David Murray. From 1982 to 1984, Wadud, Newton and Davis were part of the octet Episteme as well as a trio. In the 1970s and 1980s, Wadud was a leader for Gramavision and Bishara, as well as in a duo recording with Jenkins for Red. One session is currently available on CD. Allmusic
