Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq
Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq’s musical journey began early. Introduced to the clarinet by his mother at the age of eight, his talent quickly became evident. As a child, he won numerous competition awards performing with elementary and junior high school bands, and by the ages of ten and eleven, he had already appeared on two LP recordings as first clarinetist with the Los Angeles Unified School District All-City Elementary School Honor Orchestra.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and began performing professionally in 1972. Following his undergraduate studies, Fuasi undertook postgraduate work in Los Angeles with the late pianist and cultural visionary Horace Tapscott at UGMAA (Union of God’s Musicians and Artists Ascension). This formative period led to a lifelong artistic relationship with the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, where Fuasi served as assistant conductor, arranger, composer, and copyist, while also performing on saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
Over the course of his career, Fuasi has emerged as a prolific bandleader and cultural curator. He leads numerous ensembles, including Fuasi & Ensemble, The Ebony Big Band, Fuasi’s Latin Jazz Connection, The Horace Tapscott Tribute Ensemble, Fumatikelo, Fuasi’s Organ Ensemble, The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arktet, and The Jazz Crusaders Tribute Project & Beyond. His work consistently bridges history and innovation, honoring lineage while creating space for new musical voices.
As a performer, Fuasi has shared the stage with many of jazz’s most respected artists, including Walter Bishop Jr., Jimmy Garrison, Sam Rivers, Benny Golson, Hal Singer, Rudy Stevenson, Ed Blackwell, Arthur Blythe, Joe Bowie, Sugar Blue, Abdu Salim, Dick de Graaf, Abraham Burton, Omar Sosa, Kelvin Sholar, and Winard Harper, among others. His career reflects a deep commitment to music as both an artistic and cultural force—rooted in community, history, and forward motion.
