Ahmed Abdullah was born and raised in Harlem, however, this is only the first time he has performed in Harlem with his own band. Ahmed has been leading a band since 1972. Over the years he has worked with or recorded with bands led by Sam Rivers, Sun Ra, Rashied Ali, Ed Blackwell, Billy Bang, Arthur Blythe and Bluiett. Ahmed has been involved with notable collective ensembles like The Melodic Art-Tet, The Group and NAM.

Abdullah has twelve recordings as a leader and is on at least other 25 recordings with Sun Ra and the Arkestra as well as recordings with the aforementioned artists. Besides playing the trumpet, composing, singing, curating and educating, Ahmed is also a writer and has written a thesis that defines the art-form he is concerned with as Jazz: A Music of the Spirit. Ahmed currently teaches a Sun Ra Music and Philosophy course at the New School and is an NYC Department of Education Fellow teaching music to children.