RASHIED ALI is a progenitor and leading exponent of multidirectional rhythms/polytonal percussion. A student of Philly Joe Jones and an admirer of Art Blakey, Ali developed the style known as "free jazz" drumming, which liberates the percussionist from the role of human metronome. Charles Gayle has been playing saxophone and piano for over 40 years He came to New York City in the late 60's to work his music full-time, and for twenty years Charles played n the streets -- playing what he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted; the free-est of free jaz -- until he began to tour internationally. William Parker is a master musician, improviser, and composer. He plays the bass, shakuhachi, double reeds, tuba, donso ngoni and gembri. He was born in 1952 in the Bronx, New York. He studied bass with Richard Davis, Art Davis, Milt Hinton, Wilber Ware, and Jimmy Garrison.