Yusuf Salim was born Joseph Oliver Blair in Baltimore City where he showed his musical talent at an early age, being hired as pianist with the Ken Murray Sextet at age 14.
His mother, "Miss Eleanor" or "Mama Blair," opened their home to travelling musicians, often hosting jam sessions until the wee hours of the morning - a great classroom for young Joseph.
From age 17-24 he was a member of Tracy McCleary's house band, the Royal Men of Rhythm, at the famous Royal Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue, accompanying acts such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Moms Mabley and Redd Foxx.
He later moved to New York, meeting many jazz greats along the way. After touring with Red Prysock for seven years, he joined the Marine Band and then returned to Baltimore, playing in local jazz clubs.
In 1974 he moved to Durham where he hosted "Yusuf and Friends" on WUNC, Public-TV. Yusuf received the North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Fellowship in 1999. Some of his 53 compositions have been recorded by Gary Bartz, Mongo Santamaria and Cannonball Adderley.
-----
Biographical notes courtesy Larry Thomas for North Carolina Central University
His mother, "Miss Eleanor" or "Mama Blair," opened their home to travelling musicians, often hosting jam sessions until the wee hours of the morning - a great classroom for young Joseph.
From age 17-24 he was a member of Tracy McCleary's house band, the Royal Men of Rhythm, at the famous Royal Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue, accompanying acts such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Moms Mabley and Redd Foxx.
He later moved to New York, meeting many jazz greats along the way. After touring with Red Prysock for seven years, he joined the Marine Band and then returned to Baltimore, playing in local jazz clubs.
In 1974 he moved to Durham where he hosted "Yusuf and Friends" on WUNC, Public-TV. Yusuf received the North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Fellowship in 1999. Some of his 53 compositions have been recorded by Gary Bartz, Mongo Santamaria and Cannonball Adderley.
-----
Biographical notes courtesy Larry Thomas for North Carolina Central University
Yusuf Salim was born Joseph Oliver Blair in Baltimore City where he showed his musical talent at an early age, being hired as pianist with the Ken Murray Sextet at age 14.
His mother, "Miss Eleanor" or "Mama Blair," opened their home to travelling musicians, often hosting jam sessions until the wee hours of the morning - a great classroom for young Joseph.
From age 17-24 he was a member of Tracy McCleary's house band, the Royal Men of Rhythm, at the famous Royal Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue, accompanying acts such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Moms Mabley and Redd Foxx.
He later moved to New York, meeting many jazz greats along the way. After touring with Red Prysock for seven years, he joined the Marine Band and then returned to Baltimore, playing in local jazz clubs.
In 1974 he moved to Durham where he hosted "Yusuf and Friends" on WUNC, Public-TV. Yusuf received the North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Fellowship in 1999. Some of his 53 compositions have been recorded by Gary Bartz, Mongo Santamaria and Cannonball Adderley.
-----
Biographical notes courtesy Larry Thomas for North Carolina Central University
His mother, "Miss Eleanor" or "Mama Blair," opened their home to travelling musicians, often hosting jam sessions until the wee hours of the morning - a great classroom for young Joseph.
From age 17-24 he was a member of Tracy McCleary's house band, the Royal Men of Rhythm, at the famous Royal Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue, accompanying acts such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Moms Mabley and Redd Foxx.
He later moved to New York, meeting many jazz greats along the way. After touring with Red Prysock for seven years, he joined the Marine Band and then returned to Baltimore, playing in local jazz clubs.
In 1974 he moved to Durham where he hosted "Yusuf and Friends" on WUNC, Public-TV. Yusuf received the North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Fellowship in 1999. Some of his 53 compositions have been recorded by Gary Bartz, Mongo Santamaria and Cannonball Adderley.
-----
Biographical notes courtesy Larry Thomas for North Carolina Central University
Gravesite Details
no stone
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
