Taalib-Din Ziyad is a vocalist, flutist, composer, arranger and instructor. He began his musical career at an early age singing in his church choir. Taalib-Din also received vocal training as a teenager with the renown Lena McLin, and classical training at the Chicago Music School/Roosevelt College with voice instructor Thelma Wade Brown. He began performing in various recitals throughout the Chicagoland area and Indiana in his early teens. His voice was often compared to that of Paul Roberson. After being drafted to the Army, Taalib-Din continued his love of music by performing with the 3rd Army Soldier Show. This group toured the southeastern states entertaining the troops (USA). After his honorable discharge, Taalib-Din began his search for other musical outlets.

In 1991 Taalib-Din became a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). During that time, he performed as a vocalist and flutist with Vandy Harris’ Front Burners. 

Taalib-Din has performed with many notable musicians such as Ari Brown, Phil Kelan Cohran, Ernest Kabeer Dawkins, Adegoke Steve Colson, Jodie Christian, Renée Baker, the AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble, and the AACM Experimental Ensemble.

 He has performed in Paris, France; Poznan Poland; the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy; the Chicago Jazz Festival; the Frankfurt Jazz Festival in Frankfurt, Germany; and many other venues. 

Taalib-Din is the former Vice President of the AACM. He performs as a flutist with the St. Xavier’s Flute Choir under the direction of Irene Claude; as a vocalist and flutist with Renée Baker’s Chicago Modern Orchestra; and he also performs regularly with the AACM Great Black Music Ensemble.

Photos by Saalik Ziyad Photography