Don Alias attended Gannan College studying medicine and later went to Boston to study biochemistry. During this time he met Tony Williams and Chick Corea and played bass in a Latin jazz group with Tony, Chick and congero Bill Fitch. His first professional engagement was with the Eartha Kitt dance troupe performing with the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band of 1957. He learned most of his craft on the streets of New York associating with other percussionists who studied Afro-Cuban drumming.

Don joined Nina Simone and became the Musical Director during the last of his three years with her group. In the band was bassist Gene Perla who he later went on with to co-lead the group Stone Alliance. His association with Miles Davis came during the "Bitches Brew" 1969-70 period. After making this historic recording, he went on the road with Miles for a year.

During his long and varied career, Don has enjoyed stints playing trap drums with Blood, Sweat & Tears and Mongo Santamaria, and as a percussionist with Joni Mitchell, Sting and all of Jaco Pastorious' live recordings.

Presently, he is re-instituting his group Stone Alliance. In the past, Stone Alliance has toured South America, Europe, and the U. S. and have 4 albums to their credit. The current members of the power trio are Don, drums and percussion, Gene Perla, electric bass, and Mitch Stein, electric guitar.

Check out Don's Discography.

And check out Don's page at CongaHead.

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