Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For this Jazz Minute we spotlight one of the most visionary voices in modern jazz — Idris Ackamoor who performs at SFJAZZ on October 2nd, 2025.
Born in Chicago, Ackamoor founded The Pyramids in 1970 while studying at Ohio’s Antioch College, a hotbed of progressive thought and radical creativity. Inspired by avant-garde legend Cecil Taylor, who led the college’s Black Music Ensemble, Ackamoor began crafting a sound that defied boundaries.
The Pyramids toured Europe and Africa, absorbing global influences before settling in San Francisco in 1972. Their music fused Afrocentric philosophy, social consciousness, and fearless experimentation — captured in three groundbreaking albums: Lalibela, King of Kings, and Birth/Speed/Merging.
Idris Ackamoor remained a vital force in the Bay Area, reviving The Pyramids, leading his arts collective Cultural Odyssey, and releasing new work through Strut Records — including his 2025 album Artistic Being, featuring Danny Glover and Rhodessa Jones.
Idris Ackamoor continues to push the boundaries of jazz — a true artistic being and you can catch him at SFJAZZ on October 2.
Learn more at SFJAZZ.org
Subscribe to SFJAZZ's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/sfjazz
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/SFJAZZ
***SFJAZZ is a non-profit organization that presents year round jazz concerts, festivals and educational programs at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, CA.
For this Jazz Minute we spotlight one of the most visionary voices in modern jazz — Idris Ackamoor who performs at SFJAZZ on October 2nd, 2025.
Born in Chicago, Ackamoor founded The Pyramids in 1970 while studying at Ohio’s Antioch College, a hotbed of progressive thought and radical creativity. Inspired by avant-garde legend Cecil Taylor, who led the college’s Black Music Ensemble, Ackamoor began crafting a sound that defied boundaries.
The Pyramids toured Europe and Africa, absorbing global influences before settling in San Francisco in 1972. Their music fused Afrocentric philosophy, social consciousness, and fearless experimentation — captured in three groundbreaking albums: Lalibela, King of Kings, and Birth/Speed/Merging.
Idris Ackamoor remained a vital force in the Bay Area, reviving The Pyramids, leading his arts collective Cultural Odyssey, and releasing new work through Strut Records — including his 2025 album Artistic Being, featuring Danny Glover and Rhodessa Jones.
Idris Ackamoor continues to push the boundaries of jazz — a true artistic being and you can catch him at SFJAZZ on October 2.
Learn more at SFJAZZ.org
Subscribe to SFJAZZ's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/sfjazz
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/SFJAZZ
***SFJAZZ is a non-profit organization that presents year round jazz concerts, festivals and educational programs at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, CA.
