Ahmed Abdul-Malik (born Jonathan Tim, Jr.; January 30, 1927 – October 2, 1993) was an American jazz double bassist and oud player.
Research by historian Robin Kelley, however, indicates that Abdul-Malik was born to Caribbean immigrants and changed his birth name: Ahmed Abdul-Malik was born Jonathan Tim Jr., (sometimes spelled "Timm") on January 30, 1927, to Matilda and Jonathan Tim Sr. – both of whom had immigrated from St. Vincent in the British West Indies three years earlier.
[1]: 93 Aged seven, Jonathan, Jr. attended the Vardi School of Music and Art, "to continue his violin training, and over time took up piano, cello, bass, and tuba.
[1]: 93 Jonathan, Jr. continued studying, including having lessons with local bassist Franklin Skeete,[1]: 93 before joining The High School of Music & Art in Harlem.
[5] By the mid-1950s, Abdul-Malik had worked with prominent jazz musicians such as Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, and Randy Weston.
[5][7] Daniel Spicer, a writer for The Quietus, describes a solo from Jakarawan Nasseur as a "seductive exhortation as she [slid] around the notes with loose, microtonal languor, creating a thick fog that’s intoxicating and startling in equal measure".
[5] After his last two albums failed to achieve monetary success, Abdul-Malik switched to focusing on teaching the next generation of jazz musicians in his local community and later at New York University.
[5] With Art Blakey With John Coltrane With Walt Dickerson With Earl Hines With Jutta Hipp With Odetta With Herbie Mann With Ken McIntyre With Thelonious Monk With Dave Pike With Randy Weston