Ali Bey was born on August 1, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan where he began playing Bass Guitar at age eleven. Ali's musical development was strongly influenced by both parents. Ali's father introduced him to Jazz, Blues, and R&B and his mother is a Gospel singer who encouraged him to study gospel. Mr. Herbert Nicholson, a music teacher at Drew Middle school in Detroit, recognized the talent in Ali and steered him towards Jazz. He grew up listening to all types of music and developed a special love for Traditional Jazz and Jazz Fusion.