 Hasaan Ibn Ali ( born William Henry Langford , Jr . ; May 6 , 1931 – 1980 ) was an American jazz pianist and composer . Ibn Ali was strongly influenced by Elmo Hope , and his playing was rapid and intense , retaining a sense of rhythm even when his style became increasingly unconventional . Several recordings of his playing may exist .
 nobody knew much about him.
The first time I heard him was at a jam session in the early 1960s at the Village Vanguard. He played a solo that was so intense and passionate that I was completely blown away. He was a complete unknown at the time