A.K. Salim

Ahmad Khatab Salim, known earlier in life as Albert Atkinson, was a pivotal figure in American jazz, renowned for his compositions and arrangements. Born on July 28, 1922, A.K. Salim's musical journey took root at DuSable High School, alongside luminaries like Bennie Green and Gene Ammons, leading him to play alto saxophone in King Kolax's band between 1938 and 1939. His career took a turn when a jaw injury in 1943 halted his playing, pivoting him towards arranging music for the era's big bands, including those of Lucky Millinder, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie, the latter recording A.K. Salim's composition "Normania" in 1949 which later evolved into "Blee Blop Blues" in 1952. Despite a hiatus from music between 1949 and 1956 to explore real estate, A.K. Salim's passion rekindled, leading him to arrange Latin jazz for Tito Puente and Dizzy Gillespie, among others. His discography includes leadership on albums such as "Flute Suite" with Frank Wess and Herbie Mann in 1957. A.K. Salim's influence extended through arrangements for jazz greats like Count Basie and Machito. A.K. Salim passed away on January 1, 2003, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in jazz history.