Born William Emanuel Huddleston, Lateef grew up in Detroit and was already performing professionally by high school. He played with Dizzy Gillespie, and converted to Islam and changed his name in the early 1950s. Lateef’s interest in non-western instruments like the shanai and the shakuhachi influenced the eastern sounds of his 1960s recordings. Later he incorporated soul and gospel elements into his music, and composed for ensemble and orchestra. In 1987 he won a Grammy Award for Best New Age Recording. He continued to research music and teach until late in life, and passed away aged 93.