Salah Dawson Miller, 22 August 1950 – 25 August 2017

Of his long time friend and early mentor Justin Adams says:

“When I was gigging as part of a trio with Juldeh Camara and Salah Dawson Miller, people often asked me about the mysterious wizard on percussion onstage with us. Salah, or Dawson as I originally knew him, cut a regal and enigmatic figure onstage, with his customised percussion instruments, otherworldly outfits and his touch, so particular, never bombastic, always supple and melodious… Dawson’s overview of music showed connections that encompassed the whole world, from the point of view of someone who had physically internalised the “claves” or rhythmic keys unlocking the pulse of so many African or Asian derived musics. His travels in Brazil, Cuba and Algeria, as well as his life in multi-cultural London, gratefully accepting lessons from great African, Arab and Latin American musicians there, imbued him with a passionate love of cultures where music is a communal, dancing experience. Wherever there was rhythmic interest, Dawson was there to investigate; he was one of the founding members of the London School of Samba, and as “Isfahani Mustapha”, he was one of the 3 Mustaphas 3, a wild and virtuosic band whose riotous mix of Global styles was ahead of its time”

Salah Dawson Miller, 22 August 1950 – 25 August 2017