Canopus Drums are sad to announce that Jazz/Fusion great, and Canopus Artist, Alphonse Mouzon passed away on December 26, 2016, at age 68. Always innovative, exciting and tasteful, the master musician was diagnosed, in September, with a relatively rare and advanced form of cancer.
Mouzon was a founder member of seminal jazz fusion group, Weather Report, with bassist Miroslav Vitouš, keyboard master Joe Zawinul and sax player, Wayne Shorter. The Weather Report website noted that Mouzon was “born to be a great drummer” and remained “hopeful and upbeat” to the end.
During the course of his illustrious career, Mouzon contributed to projects with artists such as Larry Coryell, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Les McCann, Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis. He recorded with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and Chubby Checker. The music of Herbie Hancock, Ernie Watts, Chet Baker, John Klemmer and Gil Evans also benefited heavily from Mouzon’s mastery.
Canopus is very proud to have been associated with this great artist, particularly in the recent design and release of his remarkable signature snare drum, and wish to send their heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.
