Shafi Hadi

A soulful, solid tenor and alto saxophonist in an R&B, bebop, and hard bop mode, the former Curtis Porter had a brief period in the limelight primarily playing with Charles Mingus in the late '50s. His bright, spirited solos, which combined bebop and blues influences, were featured on such Mingus releases as New Tijuana Moods and The Clown, as well as in the John Cassavetes' film Shadows. Hadi also played with Hank Mobley. His early career was spent with such R&B groups as the Griffin Brothers and as part of a band led by Paul Williams. Hadi studied composition at Howard University and the University of Detroit. He's been inactive since the '60s, but can be heard on Mingus reissues. ~ Ron Wynn