Alan Dawson
b. 14 July 1929, Marietta, Pennsylvania, USA. After studying extensively in Boston, where he also worked with the Sabby Lewis band, drummer Dawson joined Lionel Hampton. In 1953 he travelled to Europe with the band. This put Dawson in company with many outstanding young musicians, including Gigi Gryce and Clifford Brown. They made some excellent recordings although this went expressly against Hampton's orders, and when the band returned home most were dismissed. Dawson returned to Boston where he rejoined the Lewis band and later in the '50s began teaching at Berklee College Of Music. A regular in Boston clubs, he played with a wide range of visiting jazz artists and also recorded occasionally with artists such as Dave Brubeck, Tal Farlow, Dexter Gordon and Phil Woods. In 1965 he appeared at the Berlin Jazz Festival with Sonny Rollins and Bill Evans. Gifted as a performer, Dawson also has the rare ability to fully communicate his skills; and among his pupils are Tony Williams and Pat La Barbera.