Composer and multi-instrumentalist Akili Jamal Haynes

began his career at the age of 15 as a trombonist under

the mentorship of Wynton Marsalis and three years later

was touring with Illinois Jacquet’s Big Band. Early on,

Akili embarked on his pursuit to perform on multiple

instruments at high skill levels in order to bring greater

levels of excellence to his original compositions.

Akili has honed his skills and knowledge of Haitian,

Ugandan, Brazilian, and Senegalese folklore, music,

dance, and drumming. Recently he was musical director

for Dr. Glory Van Scott's production of Urban Canaan at

the John Hancock Hall in Boston as part of the Boston

Arts Academy's 10th Anniversary Celebration, and

he currently performs with Senegalese Wolof Griot,

master drummmer and dancer, Lamine Toure & Group

Saloum.  Here he contributes as composer, trumpeter,

vocalist, and percussionist.

Akili's dance experience includes Southern Chinese dance

with Chu Ling Dance Academy, African-Brazilian

traditional and modern movement with Isaura Oliveira's

group, Iwa Pele; Haitian folkloric dance with Patric

LaCroix, and a role in Toussaint Before the Spirits, a

Boston Modern Orchestra Project written by Elena Reuhr

and choreographed by Nicola Hawkins.

Akili is a member of of the Woodwinds and Brass faculty

at the New England Conservatory of Music; a guest

faculty at Berklee College of Music; an affiliated artist at

M.I.T.; an instructor at Seaport Campus for Children; a

musician with the Dance Division at the Boston

Conservatory; and the creator of Chibuzo Music.

photo credit: Jill Goldman