b. September 26, 1926 in Birmingham, AL, d. February 24, 1993. Tenor saxophonist Hope joined King Kolax’s band upon graduation before forming his own outfit with his sister and brothers and converting to the Muslim faith, which resulted in his changing his name to Al Hajji Abdullah Rascheed Ahmed and wearing either a fez or, more usually, a turban. Seeking a recording deal, he signed an invalid contract with Miracle in 1950 and, when no recording sessions resulted, went to Premium Records where he recorded his biggest hit, the standard ‘Tenderly’ which was picked up by Chess Records. He recorded prolifically for Aladdin Records between 1951 and 1957 during which he continued his policy of bringing standards up to date with instrumental readings of ‘September Song’, ‘Summertime’, ‘She’s Funny That Way’ and a re-recording of ‘Tenderly’ among others. His straight, melodic saxophone playing was derided by the musically hip - who renamed him ‘No Hope’ - but his modernization of old standards was loved by the general public (in person, if not on record), and his records often harboured an exciting blues or jump tune on the b-side. Hope’s last recordings were made for King Records in 1960, after which he seems to have disappeared from the public eye.