Ahmad Jamal
Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones; July 2, 1930 – April 16, 2023) was an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator. For six decades, he was one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. He was a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master and won a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his contributions to music history.
Ahmad Jamal
The original uploader was Vsb at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Ahmad Jamal
- Birth Name
- Frederick Russell Jones
- Born
- 2 July 1930
- Birthplace
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- Died
- 16 April 2023
- Place of death
- Ashley Falls, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Occupation
- Musician
- Full name
- Frederick Russell Jones.
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- performing arts
- Education
- Westinghouse High School
- Honours
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award · NEA Jazz Masters
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Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones; July 2, 1930 – April 16, 2023) was an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator. For six decades, he was one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. He was a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master and won a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his contributions to music history.
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gnd · 1158243472 · museum · cf816800-4e0e-4d80-9cca-50a725e93787 · wikidata · Q379613 · wikipedia · Ahmad Jamal
In this article
Biography
Biography
Ahmad Jamal studied at Westinghouse High School. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is performing arts. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz, hip hop culture, hard bop and modal jazz. Distinctions recorded are Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and NEA Jazz Masters.
Ahmad Jamal at Keystone Korner, SF 1980
Brian McMillen (Brianmcmillen) / contact: brianmcmillen@hotmail.com
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ahmad Jamal • Birth Name — Frederick Russell Jones • Born — 2 July 1930 • Birthplace — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. • Died — 16 April 2023 • Place of death — Ashley Falls, Massachusetts, U.S. • Genre — * Jazz • hard bop • modal jazz • cool jazz • post-bop • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Piano • Years Active — 1948–2020 • Label — * OKeh • Parrot • Epic • Argo • Atlantic • Dreyfus • Impulse! • Telarc • Jazzbook/ACM
Early life
Early life
Jamal was born Frederick Russell Jones in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1930. He began playing piano at the age of three, when his uncle Lawrence challenged him to duplicate what he was playing. Jamal began formal piano training at the age of seven with Mary Cardwell Dawson, who he said greatly influenced him. Although Jamal is famous for his restrained playing style, he possessed an enormous piano technique from an early age and was playing Liszt etudes in competition as young as 11 years old. His Pittsburgh roots remained an important part of his identity ("Pittsburgh meant everything to me and it still does," he said in 2001), and it was there that he was immersed in the influence of jazz artists such as Earl Hines, Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams, and Erroll Garner. Jamal studied with pianist James Miller and began playing piano professionally at the age of fourteen, at which point he was recognized as a "coming great" by the pianist Art Tatum. When asked about his practice habits by a critic from The New York Times, Jamal commented that, "I used to practice and practice with the door open, hoping someone would come by and discover me. I was never the practitioner in the sense of twelve hours a day, but I always thought about music. I think about music all the time."
Beginnings
Beginnings
Jamal began touring with George Hudson's Orchestra after graduating from George Westinghouse High School in 1948. He then joined touring group The Four Strings, that disbanded when violinist Joe Kennedy Jr. left. In 1950 he moved to Chicago, performing intermittently with local musicians Von Freeman and Claude McLin, and solo at the Palm Tavern, occasionally joined by drummer Ike Day. Born to Baptist parents, Jamal became interested in Islam and Islamic culture in Detroit, where there was a sizeable Muslim community, in the 1940s and 1950s. He converted to Islam and changed his name to Ahmad Jamal in 1950. In an interview with The New York Times a few years later, he said his decision to change his name stemmed from a desire to "re-establish my original name." Shortly after his conversion to Islam, he explained to The New York Times that he "says Muslim prayers five times a day and arises in time to say his first prayers at 5 am. He says them in Arabic in keeping with the Muslim tradition." Jamal made his first records in 1951 for the Okeh label with The Three Strings (which would later also be called the Ahmad Jamal Trio, although Jamal himself avoided using the term "trio"): the other members were guitarist Ray Crawford and a bassist, at different times Eddie Calhoun (1950–52), Richard Davis (1953–54), and Israel Crosby (1954–62). The Three Strings arranged an extended engagement at Chicago's Blue Note, but leapt to fame after performing at the Embers in New York City where John Hammond saw the band play and signed them to Okeh Records. Hammond, a record producer who discovered the talents and enhanced the fame of musicians like Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, and Count Basie, helped Jamal's trio attract critical acclaim. Jamal subsequently recorded for Parrot (1953–55) and Epic (1955) using the piano-guitar-bass lineup. He recorded his first album with a drummer, Walter Perkins, in 1956: Count 'Em 88, which includes the influential revival of the song "On Green Dolphin Street".
At the Pershing: But Not for Me
At the Pershing: But Not for Me
• Illustration — Jamal in Nashville, October 18, 2019 The trio's sound changed significantly when Crawford was replaced with a drummer, and Vernel Fournier assumed this position in 1957. The group worked as the "house trio" at Chicago's Pershing Hotel. The trio released the live album At the Pershing: But Not for Me, which stayed on the Ten Best-selling charts for 108 weeks. Jamal's well-known live recording of the Nat Simon song "Poinciana", which Jamal had first recorded on The Piano Scene of Ahmad Jamal, was released on this album. Perhaps Jamal's most famous recording, At the Pershing: But Not for Me, was recorded at the Pershing Hotel in Chicago in 1958; it brought him an unusual level of popularity for a jazz pianist in the late 1950s and the early 1960s. The set list included various jazz standards, such as "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" from the Richard Rodgers musical Oklahoma! and Karl Suessdorf's "Moonlight in Vermont". Jamal's trio, especially through its influence on Miles Davis, would come to be recognized as a seminal force in the history of jazz. Particularly evident were Jamal's unusually minimalist and restrained style and his extended use of vamps, according to reviewer John Morthland. The New York Times contributor Ben Ratliff said, in a review of the album, "If you're looking for an argument that pleasurable mainstream art can assume radical status at the same time, Jamal is your guide." He attracted media coverage for his investment decisions pertaining to his "rising fortune". In 1959, he took a tour of North Africa to explore investment options in Africa. Jamal, who was 29 at the time, said he was curious about the homeland of his ancestors, highly influenced by his conversion to the Muslim faith. He also said his religion had brought him peace of mind about his race, which accounted for his "growth in the field of music that has proved very lucrative for me." Upon his return to the U.S. after a tour of North Africa, the financial success of Live at the Pershing: But Not For Me allowed Jamal to open a restaurant and club called The Alhambra in Chicago, which lasted barely one year. In 1962, the classic Jamal/Crosby/Fournier trio made its final recording, Ahmad Jamal at the Blackhawk. Although Crosby and Fournier had started to play with George Shearing, the definitive end of the trio came with Crosby's death from a heart attack in August 1962. Jamal recorded Macanudo with a full orchestra in late 1962. He then took a brief hiatus from performing and recording.
Return to music and The Awakening
Return to music and The Awakening
In 1964, Jamal resumed performing after moving to New York and started a residency at the Village Gate nightclub. That year, he began recording a series of new trio albums with bassist Jamil S. Nasser, starting with Naked City Theme. Jamal and Nasser continued to play together until 1972. He also joined forces with Fournier (again, 1965–1966) and drummer Frank Gant (1966–77), among others. Until 1970, he played only acoustic piano. The final album on which, for a time, he played exclusively acoustic piano in the regular sequence was The Awakening. In the 1970s, he played electric piano as well, as on the instrumental recording of "Suicide is Painless," theme song from the 1970 film M*A*S*H, which was released on a 1973 reissue of the film's soundtrack album, replacing the original vocal version of the song by The Mash. Apparently, the Rhodes piano he used was a gift from someone in Switzerland. He continued to play and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, mostly in trios with piano, bass and drums, and occasionally expanded the group to include a guitarist or a percussionist. One of his most long-standing gigs was as the band for the New Year's Eve celebrations at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., from 1979 through the 1990s. Jamal also reimagined his hit song "Poinciana" several times, notably on Ahmad Jamal at the Top: Poinciana Revisited (1968) and Digital Works (1985). In 1986, Jamal sued critic Leonard Feather for using his former name in a publication.
Later career
Later career
In his 80s, Jamal continued to make numerous tours and recordings, including albums such as Saturday Morning (2013), the CD/DVD release Ahmad Jamal Featuring Yusef Lateef Live at L'Olympia (2014), Marseille (2017), and Ballades (2019), featuring mostly solo piano. Jamal was the main mentor of jazz piano virtuosos Hiromi Uehara, known as Hiromi, and Shahin Novrasli. • Illustration — Jamal and Shahin Novrasli
Personal life and death
Personal life and death
Jamal was married and divorced three times. As a teenager, he married Virginia 'Maryam' Wilkins; they had one daughter, who pre-deceased him. In the early 1960s, he married Sharifah Frazier, with whom he had one daughter; they divorced in 1982. That year, he married his manager, Laura Hess-Hay. They divorced two years later but she represented him for the rest of his life. On April 16, 2023, Jamal died from complications of prostate cancer at home in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts. He was 92.
Compilations
Compilations
• 1967: Standard Eyes (Cadet) • 1972: Inspiration (Cadet) • 1974: Re-evaluations: The Impulse! Years (Impulse!) • 1980: The Best of Ahmad Jamal (20th Century) • 1998: Cross Country Tour 1958–1961 (Chess/GRP Records) • 2005: The Legendary Okeh & Epic Recordings (1951–1955) (Columbia Legacy) • 2007: Complete Live at the Pershing Lounge 1958 (Gambit) • 2007: Complete Live at the Spotlite Club 1958 (Gambit) • 2010: The Complete Ahmad Jamal Trio Argo Sessions 1956-62 (Mosaic Records) • 2014: Complete Live at the Blackhawk (Essential Jazz Classics) • 2022: Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse 1963–1964 (Jazz Detective) • 2022: Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse 1965-1966 (Jazz Detective) • 2023: Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse 1966-1968 (Jazz Detective)
As sideman
As sideman
With Ray Brown • Some of My Best Friends Are...The Piano Players (Telarc, 1994) With Pat Metheny/Gary Burton/The Heath Brothers • All The Things You Are (Fruit Tree, 1999) With Shirley Horn • May the Music Never End (Verve, 2003)
Identity
Identity
Ahmad Jamal is recorded as having received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and NEA Jazz Masters. Recorded at birth as Frederick Russell Jones. Identity and origins. He also worked under the name Ahmad Jamal. His recorded language was English. His recorded confession was Islam.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
Explore 1930–2023
The full dated record · 6 entries
1930
Ahmad Jamal born at Pittsburgh.
1958
Ahmad Jamal - Portfolio (1958) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
1963
Ahmad Jamal – Macanudo (1963) (1963) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
2003
Ahmad Jamal 2003 8 1 Arvada Center Arvada, CO (2003) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
2005
Ahmad Jamal – The Legendary OKEH & Epic Recordings (2005) (2005) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
2023
Ahmad Jamal died at Sheffield.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Pittsburgh.
Birth place
Sheffield.
Death place
Style and influence
• Illustration — Jamal performing with bassist James Cammack in 2007 Trained in both traditional jazz ("American classical music", as he preferred to call it) and European classical style, Jamal was praised as one of the greatest jazz innovators over the course of his exceptionally long career. Following bebop greats like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Jamal entered the world of jazz at a time when speed and virtuosic improvisation were central to the success of jazz musicians as artists. Jamal, however, took steps in the direction of a new movement, later coined "cool jazz"an effort to move jazz in the direction of classical music. He emphasized space between notes in his musical compositions and interpretations instead of focusing on the fast-paced bebop style. Because of this style, Jamal was "often dismissed by jazz writers as no more than a cocktail pianist, a player so given to fluff that his work shouldn't be considered seriously in any artistic sense". Stanley Crouch, author of Considering Genius, offered a very different reaction to Jamal's music, claiming that, like the highly influential Thelonious Monk, Jamal was a true innovator of the jazz tradition and is second in importance in the development of jazz after 1945 only to Charlie Parker. His unique musical style stemmed from many individual characteristics, including his use of orchestral effects and his ability to control the beat of songs. These stylistic choices resulted in a unique and new sound for the piano trio: "Through the use of space and changes of rhythm and tempo", wrote Crouch, "Jamal invented a group sound that had all the surprise and dynamic variation of an imaginatively ordered big band." Jamal explored the texture of riffs, timbres, and phrases rather than the quantity or speed of notes in any given improvisation. Speaking about Jamal, A. B. Spellman of the National Endowment of the Arts said: "Nobody except Thelonious Monk used space better, and nobody ever applied the artistic device of tension and release better." These (at the time) unconventional techniques that Jamal gleaned from both traditional classical and contemporary jazz musicians helped pave the way for later jazz greats like Bill Evans, Cedar Walton, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Monty Alexander, Fred Hersch, Bill Charlap, Vijay Iyer, and Ethan Iverson. Music critic Ben Waltzer argued that Jamal's most significant innovation was his reconception of the piano trio as an orchestrated ensemble rather than a piano accompanied by a rhythm section. Drawing on what Jamal described as "big-band concepts", he incorporated recurring riffs, vamps, and ostinatos into the improvisational structure itself and elevated the bass and drums from supporting roles to equal participants in the musical conversation. Waltzer wrote that by blurring the distinction between foreground and background voices within the trio, Jamal created a flexible, multilayered ensemble sound that influenced subsequent generations of jazz musicians. Though Jamal is often overlooked by jazz critics and historians, he is frequently credited with having a great influence on Miles Davis. Davis is quoted as saying that he was impressed by Jamal's rhythmic sense and his "concept of space, his lightness of touch, his understatement". Miles used to send his crew to concerts of Jamal, so they could learn to play like Miles wanted it. Jamal's contrasts (crafting melodies that included strong and mild tones, and fast and slow rhythms) were what impressed Miles. Jamal characterized what he thought Davis admired about his music as: "my discipline as opposed to my space." Jamal and Davis became friends in the 1950s, and Davis continued to support Jamal as a fellow musician, often playing versions of Jamal's own songs ("Ahmad's Blues", "New Rhumba") until he died in 1991. In addition, in a 1960 interview, Bill Evans said of Jamal, "I enjoy listening to him very much." Evans emphatically rejected the "cocktail pianist" criticism of Jamal, stating, "It's a real thing he's doing." Jamal, speaking about his own work, said, "I like doing ballads. They're hard to play. It takes years of living, really, to read them properly." From an early age, Jamal developed an appreciation for the lyrics of the songs he learned: "I once heard Ben Webster playing his heart out on a ballad. All of a sudden he stopped. I asked him, 'Why did you stop, Ben?' He said, 'I forgot the lyrics.'" Jamal attributed the variety in his musical taste to the fact that he grew up in several eras: the big band era, the bebop years, and the electronic age. He said his style evolved from drawing on the techniques and music produced in these three eras. In 1985, Jamal agreed to do an interview and recording session with his fellow jazz pianist, Marian McPartland on her NPR show Piano Jazz. Jamal, who said he rarely would play "But Not For Me" due to its popularity after his 1958 recording, played an improvised version of the tune – though only after noting that he moved on to making ninety percent of his repertoire his own compositions. He said that when he grew in popularity from the Live at the Pershing album, he was severely criticized afterwards for not playing any of his own compositions. • Illustration — Jamal at Bozar in Brussels, Belgium (January 2014) In his later years, Jamal embraced the electronic influences affecting the genre of jazz. He also occasionally expanded his usual small ensemble of three to include a tenor saxophone (George Coleman) and a violin. A jazz fan interviewed by Down Beat magazine about Jamal in 2010 described his development as "more aggressive and improvisational these days. The word I used to use is avant garde; that might not be right. Whatever you call it, the way he plays is the essence of what jazz is." Saxophonist Ted Nash described his experience with Jamal's style in an interview with Down Beat magazine: "The way he comped wasn't the generic way that lots of pianists play with chords in the middle of the keyboard, just filling things up. He gave lots of single line responses. He'd come back and throw things out at you, directly from what you played. It was really interesting because it made you stop, and allowed him to respond, and then you felt like playing something else – that's something I don't feel with a lot of piano players. It's really quite engaging. I guess that's another reason people focus in on him. He makes them hone in." Jamal recorded with the voices of the Howard A. Roberts Chorale on The Bright, the Blue and the Beautiful and Cry Young; with vibraphonist Gary Burton on In Concert; with brass, reeds, and strings celebrating his hometown of Pittsburgh; with The Assai Quartet; and with tenor saxophonist George Coleman on the album The Essence Part One.
Discography
• Year recorded — Title — Label — Notes — Ref. • 1951–55 — The Piano Scene of Ahmad Jamal — Epic — Trio, with Ray Crawford (guitar), Eddie Calhoun and Israel Crosby (bass; separately). Released in 1959. • 1955 — Ahmad Jamal Plays — Parrot — Trio, with Ray Crawford (guitar), Israel Crosby (bass); also released as Chamber Music of the New Jazz by Argo • 1955 — The Ahmad Jamal Trio — Epic — Trio, with Ray Crawford (guitar), Israel Crosby (bass) • 1956 — Count 'Em 88 — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Walter Perkins (drums) • 1958 — Ahmad's Blues — Chess/MCA — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1958 — At the Pershing: But Not for Me (Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing, Vol. 1) — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1958 — At the Pershing, Vol. 2 — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1958 — Ahmad Jamal Trio Volume IV — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1958 — Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1958 — Poinciana — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums) • 1959 — Jamal at the Penthouse — Argo — With Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums), orchestra; in concert • 1960 — Happy Moods — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums) • 1960 — Listen to the Ahmad Jamal Quintet — Argo — Quintet, with Ray Crawford (guitar), Joe Kennedy (violin), Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums) • 1961 — All of You — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1961 — Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1962 — Ahmad Jamal at the Blackhawk — Argo — Trio, with Israel Crosby (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums); in concert • 1962 — Macanudo — Argo — With orchestra arranged and conducted by Richard Evans • 1964 — Naked City Theme — Argo — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Chuck Lampkin (drums); in concert at the San Francisco Jazz Workshop • 1965 — The Roar of the Greasepaint — Argo — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Chuck Lampkin (drums) • 1965 — Extensions — Argo — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums) • 1965 — Rhapsody — Cadet — With Jamil Nasser (bass), Vernel Fournier (drums), orchestra • 1966 — Heat Wave — Cadet — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums) • 1967 — Cry Young — Cadet — With Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums), choir • 1968 — The Bright, the Blue and the Beautiful — Cadet — With Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums), choir • 1968 — Tranquility — ABC — With Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums) • 1968 — Ahmad Jamal at the Top: Poinciana Revisited — Impulse! — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums); in concert • 1970 — The Awakening — Impulse! — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums) • 1971 — Freeflight — Impulse! — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums); in concert at Montreux Jazz Festival • 1971 — Outertimeinnerspace — Impulse! — Trio, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums); in concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival • 1973 — Ahmad Jamal '73 — 20th Century — With orchestra, vocals • 1974 — Jamalca — 20th Century — With orchestra, six vocalists and Jamil Nassar and Richard Evans (bass), and Brian Grice and Frank Gant (drums) • 1974 — Jamal Plays Jamal — 20th Century — Quartet, with Jamil Nasser (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Azzedin Weston (congas) • 1975 — Genetic Walk — 20th Century — With Calvin Keys and Danny Leake (guitar; separately), Richard Evans, Roger Harris, John Heard and Jamil Nasser (bass; separately), Steve Cobb, Frank Gant, Morris Jenkins, Eddie Marshall and Harvey Mason (drums; separately) • 1976 — Steppin' Out with a Dream — 20th Century — Quartet, with Calvin Keys (guitar), John Heard (bass), Frank Gant (drums) • 1976 — Recorded Live at Oil Can Harry's — Catalyst — Quintet, with Calvin Keys (guitar), John Heard (bass), Frank Gant (drums), Seldon Newton (percussion); in concert at Oil Can Harry's, Vancouver • 1978 — One — 20th Century — With members of The Wrecking Crew • 1980 — Intervals — 20th Century — Quintet, with Calvin Keys (guitar), John Heard (bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Seldon Newton (percussion) • 1980 — Live at Bubba's — Who's Who in Jazz — Trio, with Sabu Adeyola (bass), Payton Crossley (drums); in concert at Bubba's Jazz Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale • 1980 — Night Song — Motown — With Oscar Brashear and Robert O'Bryant (trumpet), Maurice Spears and Garnett Brown (trombone), Pete Christlieb (alto sax), Ernie Fields (baritone sax), Dean Paul Gant and Gil Askey (keyboards), Calvin Keys and Greg Purce (guitar), John Heard and Kenneth Burke (bass), Chester Thompson (drums) • 1981 — In Concert — Personal Choice — Some tracks trio, with Sabu Adeyola (bass), Payton Crossley (drums); some tracks quartet, with Gary Burton (vibraphone) added; in concert at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes • 1982 — American Classical Music — Shubra — Quartet, with David Adeyola (bass), Payton Crossley (drums), Selden Newton (percussion); in concert at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall; also released by Black Lion as Goodbye Mr. Evans • 1985 — Digital Works — Atlantic — Quartet, with Larry Ball (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Iraj Lashkary (percussion) • 1985 — Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival 1985 — Atlantic — Quartet, with James Cammack (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Selden Newton (percussion) • 1986 — Rossiter Road — Atlantic — Quartet, with James Cammack (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion) • 1987 — Crystal — Atlantic — Quartet, with James Cammack (bass), David Bowler (drums), Willie White (percussion) • 1989 — Pittsburgh — Atlantic — With James Cammack (bass), David Bowler (drums), orchestra • 1992 — Live! At Blues Alley — Blues Alley Musical Society — Quartet, with James Cammack (bass), David Bowler (drums) and Seldon Newton (percussion) • 1992 — Live in Paris 1992 — Verve — Some tracks trio with James Cammack (bass), David Bowler (drums); some tracks trio with Todd Coolman (bass), Gordon Lane (drums); in concert • 1992 — Chicago Revisited: Live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase — Telarc — Trio, with John Heard (bass), Yoron Israel (drums); in concert • 1994 — I Remember Duke, Hoagy & Strayhorn — Telarc — Trio, with Ephraim Woolfolk (bass), Arti Dixson (drums) • 1994–95 — The Essence Part One — Birdology — Most tracks quartet, with James Cammack (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion); some tracks quintet, with George Coleman (tenor sax), Jamil Nasser (bass), Muhammad (drums), Badrena (percussion) • 1994–95 — Big Byrd: The Essence Part 2 — Birdology — Most tracks quartet, with James Cammack (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion); one track quintet with Joe Kennedy Jr. (violin), Jamil Nasser (bass), Muhammad (drums), Badrena (percussion); one track quintet with Donald Byrd (trumpet) replacing Kennedy Jr. • 1996 — Live in Paris 1996 — Dreyfus — With George Coleman (tenor sax), Calvin Keys (guitar), Joe Kennedy (violin), Jeff Chambers (bass), Yoron Israel (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion); in concert at the Salle Pleyel, Paris. Released in 2003 • 1997 — Nature: The Essence Part Three — Birdology — Most tracks quintet, with James Cammack (bass), Othello Molineaux (steel drum), Idris Muhammad (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion); one track sextet, with Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax) added • 1998 — Ahmad Jamal with The Assai Quartet — Roesch — With Ephraim Wolfolk (bass), Arti Dixson (drums), Claude Giron (cello), Suzanne Lefevre (viola), Peter Biely (violin) and Jaroslaw Lis (violin); in concert at Yale University • 2001 — Picture Perfect — Birdology — Some tracks trio, with James Cammack and Jamil Nasser (bass; separately), Idris Muhammad (drums); some tracks quartet, with Mark Cargill (violin) added • 2000 — À L'Olympia — Dreyfus — Quartet, with George Coleman (tenor sax), James Cammack (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums); in concert; also known as Olympia 2000 and Ahmad Jamal 70th Birthday. Released 2001 • 2002 — In Search of... Momentum — Birdology — Trio, with James Cammack (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums). Released 2003 • 2004 — After Fajr — Birdology — Most tracks trio, with James Cammack (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums); one tracks quintet, with Donna McElroy and Vox One (vocals) added; in concert at the Arts Center of Enghien-les-Bains, France • 2007 — It's Magic — Birdology — Quartet, with James Cammack (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion) • 2008 — Poinciana: One Night Only — Stardust • 2009 — A Quiet Time — Dreyfus — With James Cammack (bass), Kenny Washington (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion) • 2011 — Blue Moon — Jazzbook Records / Jazz Village — With Reginald Veal (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion); nominated as Best Jazz Instrumental Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards • 2012 — Ahmad Jamal & Yusef Lateef/Live At The Olympia — Jazzbook Records / Jazz Village — Ahmad Jamal piano, Yusuf Lateef saxophone, flute, vocals, Reginald Veal bass, Manolo Badrena percussion, Herlin Riley drums • 2013 — Saturday Morning: La Buissonne Studio Sessions — Jazzbook Records / Jazz Village — With Reginald Veal (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion) • 2016 — Marseille — Jazzbook Records / Jazz Village — Most tracks quartet, with James Cammack (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion); one track quintet with Abd Al Malik (spoken word) added; one track quintet with Mina Agossi (vocals) added • 2019 — Ballades — Jazzbook Records / Jazz Village — Most tracks solo piano; three tracks with James Cammack (bass)
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q379613: Ahmad Jamal
Reputable secondary · Wikimedia Foundation
- “Ahmad Jamal”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Institutional database
- MusicBrainz artist record for Ahmad Jamal
Scholarly · MetaBrainz Foundation
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 1158243472, Ahmad Jamal <Syed>.
Unverified · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Awards and honors
• 1959: Entertainment Award, Pittsburgh Junior Chamber of Commerce Players • 1980: Distinguished Service Award, City of Washington D.C., Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution • 1981: Nominee for Best R&B Instrumental Performance ("You're Welcome", "Stop on By"), 24th Annual Grammy Awards • 1986: Mellon Jazz Festival Salutes Ahmad Jamal, Pittsburgh. • 1987: Honorary Membership, Philippines Jazz Foundation • 1994: American Jazz Masters award, National Endowment for the Arts • 2001: Arts & Culture Recognition Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women • 2001: Kelly-Strayhorn Gallery of Stars, for Achievements as Pianist and Composer, East Liberty Quarter Chamber of Commerce • 2003: Inductee, American Jazz Hall of Fame, New Jersey Jazz Society • 2003: Gold Medallion, Steinway & Sons 150 Years Celebration (1853–2003) • 2007: Living Jazz Legend, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts • 2007: Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Government of France • 2011: Down Beat Hall of Fame, 76th Readers Poll • 2015: Honorary Doctorate of Music, The New England Conservatory • 2017: Lifetime Achievement Award, 59th Annual Grammy Awards, The Recording Academy • 2018: International Eddie Rosner Leopolis Jazz Music Award, Leopolis Jazz Fest, Lviv
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Grode, Eric. Ahmad Jamal, Jazz Pianist With a Measured Approach, Dies at 92. The New York Times. April 16, 2023. 0362-4331.
- 2.2017 Special Merit Awards: Sly Stone, Velvet Underground, Nina Simone. www.grammy.com. May 15, 2017.
- 3.Wang, Richard. Jamal, Ahmad [Jones, Frederick Russell]. Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. November 26, 2013. 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2275871.
- 4.Michel, Karen. Ahmad Jamal, 'A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order,' Keeps on Building. Npr.org. December 31, 2014.
- 5.Lyons, Len. The Great Jazz Pianists, Da Capo Press, 1983, p. 115.
- 6.Wang, Richard and Barry Kernfeld. "Jamal, Ahmad". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, 2nd ed. Ed. Barry Kernfeld. Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Web. April 17, 2012.
- 7.Music; Always Making Jazz Seem New (Published 2001). 2001-11-11.
- 8.NPR. Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz. Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland. August 29, 2008.
- 9.Open Vault at WGBH. Eric in The Evening; Ahmad Jamal]. January 18, 1989.
- 10.Underyourskindvd. Ahmad Jamal – Interview – "American Classical Music". April 27, 2010.
- 11.Wang, Richard. Jamal, Ahmad (jazz). Grove Music Online. 2003. 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J221400.
- 12.Kaufman, Gil. Ahmad Jamal, Influential Jazz Pianist Dies at 92. Billboard. April 17, 2023.
- 13.Ahmad Jamal, An Architect of Modern Jazz, Dead at 92. Yahoo Sports. April 17, 2023.
- 14.Panken, Ted "It's Ahmad Jamal's 81st Birthday". Tedpanken.wordpress.com, Retrieved July 3, 2013.
- 15.Walz, Jay (November 20, 1959). "Pianist-Investor Is a Hit in Cairo: Jazz Musician Ahmad Jamal Finds Muslim Faith Aids Him on African Visit." The New York Times. p. 14.
- 16.Myers, Mike. Jazz news: Ahmad Jamal: Complete Okeh, Parrot & Epic. All About Jazz. September 14, 2022.
- 17.Jazz, All About. Jazz news: Ahmad Jamal: Complete Okeh, Parrot & Epic. All About Jazz. September 14, 2022.
- 18.Gioia, Ted. The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire, Oxford University Press, 2012, p. 314.
- 19.Siek, Stephen. A Dictionary for the Modern Pianist. Rowman & Littlefield. 81–82. 2016. 978-0810888807.
- 20.Holley, Eugene. Ahmad Jamal: A Lasting Impression. American Visions. 9. 46–47. October–November 1994.
- 21.Gioia, p. 314.
- 22.Review by John Morthland, November 16, 2010.
- 23.Ahmad Jamal Musician – All About Jazz. All About Jazz Musicians.
- 24.Fordham, John. Ahmad Jamal obituary. The Guardian. April 17, 2023.
- 25.Sheldon, Michael. Liner notes, The Complete 1962 Ahmad Jamal at the Blackhawk, American Jazz Classics 99155, 2022, p. 1.
- 26.Amorosi, A. D. Ahmad Jamal, Pioneering Jazz Pianist Who Influenced Both Miles Davis and Hip-Hop, Dies at 92. Variety. April 17, 2023.
- 27.Cain, Sian. Ahmad Jamal, influential jazz pianist, dies aged 92. The Guardian. April 17, 2023.
- 28.Voigt, John. Nasser, Jamil (Sulieman). Grove Music Online. 2003. 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J322500.
- 29.Kernfeld, Barry. Fournier, Vernel (Anthony). Grove Music Online. 2003.
- 30.Kennedy, Gary W. Gant, Frank. Grove Music Online. 2003.
- 31.Wang and Kernfeld, p. 1.
- 32."Pittsburgh Jazz Festival Swings into Town" (September 6, 1986), Pittsburgh Courier, p. 5.
- 33.Ahmad Jamal Makes Schermerhorn Appearance. Tennessee Tribune. October 17, 2019.
- 34.Jackson, Grant. Hiromi On Piano Jazz. NPR.org. April 23, 2010.
- 35.McFadden, Maureen. LEGENDARY AHMAD JAMAL RELEASES GORGEOUS, SOLO ALBUM ALONGSIDE HIS PROTÉGÉ, PIANIST SHAHIN NOVRASLI. DLMediamusic.com. September 13, 2019.
- 36.Zisman, Marc. Quand Ahmad Jamal rencontre Shahin Novrasli. QOBUZ.com. September 11, 2019.
- 37.TAC, AZER. Shahin Novrasli presented by legendary Ahmad Jamal in Paris. Azertag.az. May 22, 2017.
- 38.Jazz, MCG. Ahmad Jamal presents Shahin Novrasli. AlleghenyCityCenter.org. May 13, 2017.
- 39.White, John. Obituary: Ahmad Jamal. jazzjournal.co.uk. Jazz Journal. April 23, 2023.
- 40.londonjazz. RIP Ahmad Jamal (1930–2023). London Jazz News. April 16, 2023.
- 41.Seymour, Gene. Ahmad Jamal, jazz pianist with a spare, hypnotic touch, dies at 92. The Washington Post. April 16, 2023.
- 42.Norris, Michele. "1,000 Essential Recordings You Must Hear". All Things Considered (NPR). By Tom Moon. August 22, 2008. Radio.
- 43.Evans, Greg. Ahmad Jamal Dies: Cool Jazz Pioneer Was 92. Deadline. April 17, 2023.
- 44."Ahmad Jamal: 'Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not For Me. | Basic Jazz Record Library, NPR. August 1, 2001. Radio.
- 45.Johnson, Martin. Ahmad Jamal, measured maestro of the jazz piano, dies at 92. npr.org. NPR. 16 April 2023.
- 46.Hersch, Fred. Artist's Choice: Fred Hersch on Great Piano Sounds. JazzTimes.com. JazzTimes. 3 August 2024.
- 47."The Vijay Iyer Trio". Vijay-Iyer.com, Accessed June 22, 2025.
- 48.Ahmad Jamal gestorben – Miles Davis war sein grösster Fan. Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). April 17, 2023.
- 49.Evans, Bill (1960). "The Ralph J. Gleason Interview". In Cerra, Steven A. (ed.) A Bill Evans Reader. Steven Cerra 2024. p. 99. .
- 50."Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz 1985". Piano Jazz. NPR. August 29, 2008. Radio.
- 51.Yanow, Scott. In Concert Review. AllMusic.
- 52.AHMAD JAMAL AND GARY BURTON IN CONCERT. Library of Congress.
- 53.Lynch, Kevin. Pianist Jamal in state for 2 shows. The Capital Times. 1D, 5D. February 18, 1998.
- 54.Wang, Richard. The Grove Dictionary of American Music. Oxford University Press. 4. 426. 2001. 978-0-19-999062-7.
- 55.CMOA Collection. Collection.cmoa.org.
- 56.Ahmad Jamal: AWARDS. AHMAD JAMAL.
- 57.1981 GRAMMY WINNERS : 24th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Grammy.com.
- 58.FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ. Daily Press. June 21, 1996.
- 59.East Liberty's Wall of Fame. old.post-gazette.com.
- 60.Jazz news: American Jazz Hall of Fame. All About Jazz.
- 61.Ahmad Jamal receives a Lifetime Achievement award from Jazz Journalists Association. Jazzineurope.mfmedia.nl. May 2, 2019.
- 62.Pianist Ahmad Jamal's music career is one of great discovery. KNKX Public Radio. April 10, 2023.
- 63.Ahmad Jamal dies at 92: Acclaimed jazz pianist who influenced Miles Davis. BBC News. April 17, 2023.
- 64.DownBeat Archives. Downbeat.com.
- 65.NEC Honorary Doctor of Music Degree. New England Conservatory of Music. 2022.
- 66.International Music Award "Leopolis Jazz Music Awards" – Leopolis Jazz Fest. Leopolisjazz.com.
- 67.Nielsen Business Media, Inc. New Releases. Billboard. 43. October 5, 1959.
- 68.Ahmad Jamal discography accessed May 24, 2012
- 69.'Hypnotic' Piano Music by Ahmad Jamal, 'Sophisticate of Jazz'. The Age. January 22, 1959.
- 70.Ahmad Jamal: Ahmad's Blues. AllMusic.
- 71.Yanow, Scott. Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing, Vol. 2 Review. AllMusic.
- 72.Yanow, Scott. Ahmad Jamal Trio, Vol. 4 Review. AllMusic.
- 73.Ahmad Jamal: Poinciana. Record Mirror. 185. 10. September 26, 1964.
- 74.Yanow, Scott. All Music Guide to Jazz: The Experts' Guide to the Best Jazz Recordings. Miller Freeman Books. 585–587. 1998. 0879305304.
- 75.Wax Works – Happy Moods. California Eagle. March 8, 1962.
- 76.Ethier, Rolly. The Record Shop. North Bay Nugget. March 6, 1961.
- 77.Vacariu, Earl. Tells Medics To Cut Talk In Surgery – End of Original Jamal Trio. The Akron Beacon Journal. October 31, 1962.
- 78.A Look at the Records. Hartford Courant. April 21, 1963.
- 79.Colton, Larry. Caught In A Spin. Portland Press Herald. January 28, 1965.
- 80.Stern, Harold. For the Record. Macon News. June 14, 1965.
- 81.Ober, Chick. Album By Errol [sic] Garner Scores With Old Tunes. Tampa Bay Times. December 24, 1965.
- 82.Lass, Don. Record Previews – A Touch of Today – Rhapsody. Asbury Park Press. June 25, 1966.
- 83.Forester. From the Rack – Heat Wave. The Age. April 13, 1967.
- 84.Talbert, Bob. Record Reviews – Jamal's Voices – Cry Young. The State. October 22, 1967.
- 85.Lass, Don. Record Previews – The Herman Herd. Asbury Park Evening Press. November 9, 1968.
- 86.B. W. Ahmad Jamal's '68 Sounds Survive Test of Time. Dayton Daily News. May 20, 1973.
- 87.Burke, Jack. Those old tunes recalled in history series. The La Cross Tribune. March 10, 1973.
- 88.Campbell, Mary. Pianist Ahmad Jamal recording his own jazz. The Central New Jersey Home News. Associated Press. October 10, 1974.
- 89.Lyons, Leonard. The 101 Best Jazz Albums: A History of Jazz on Records. Morrow Quill Paperbacks. 252. 1980. 0688087205.
- 90.Butler, Ronald E. Good Listening from O'Jays, Jamal. Tulsa World. January 11, 1977.
- 91.Adams, Ace. Inside the record world. Daily News. February 9, 1979.
- 92.Heron, W. Kim. Artistry at the ivories. Detroit Free Press. March 27, 1981.
- 93.AHMAD JAMAL.
- 94.Doerschuk, Robert L. 88: The Giants of Jazz Piano. Backbeat Books. 71–75. 2001. 0-87930-656-4.
- 95.Cook, Richard. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin. 760–762. 2008. 978-0-141-03401-0.
- 96.Blangger, Tim. Ahmad Jamal: Nature. The Morning Call. February 13, 1999.
- 97.Robicheau, Paul. Steppin' Out with Jamal and Harris. The Boston Globe. November 6, 1998.
- 98.Dryden, Ken. Ahmad Jamal: It's Magic. AllMusic.
- 99.Brunet, Alain. L'immortalité selon Ahmad Jamal. La Presse. June 19, 2010.
- 100.Nastos, Michael G. Ahmad Jamal: A Quiet Time. AllMusic.
- 101.O'Brien, Jon. Ahmad Jamal: Blue Moon – The New York Session/The Paris Concert. AllMusic.
- 102.Fordham, John. Ahmad Jamal/Yusef Lateef: Live at the Olympia review – spirited and funky. The Guardian. August 21, 2014.
- 103.Listening Post. The Buffalo News. September 7, 2014.
- 104.Fordham, John. Ahmad Jamal: Saturday Morning – review. The Guardian. September 26, 2013.
- 105.Mercer, Michelle. Ahmad Jamal: Marseille. DownBeat. 84. 9. 59. September 2017.
- 106.Jamal, Ahmad. Marseille. Jazz Village.
- 107.AHMAD JAMAL – Inspiration. JazzMusicArchives.com.
- 108.Ahmad Jamal : Reevaluations – The Impulse Years (LP, Vinyl record album). Dustygroove.com.
- 109.Ahmad Jamal – The Best Of Ahmad Jamal – VG+ Lp Record 1981 20th Century Fox USA Vinyl – Jazz. Shuga Records.
- 110.Pekar, Harvey. Ahmad Jamal: Cross Country Tour: 1958–1961. JazzTimes. April 25, 2019.
- 111.Barns, Greg. Jazz – Complete Live at the Pershing Lounge 1958. The (Hobart) Mercury. January 5, 2008.
- 112.Jones, Dave. Ahmad Jamal Trio: Complete Live at the Spotlite Club 1958. Jazz Journal. March 29, 2019.
- 113.Soul&Jazz&Funk. AHMAD JAMAL: 'The Complete Ahmad Jamal Trio Argo Sessions 1956-62. soulandjazzandfunk.com.
- 114.The Complete 1962 Blackhawk Performances. Jazz Messengers.
- 115.Jazz, All About. Ahmad Jamal: Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse (1963–1964) and (1965–1966) article @ All About Jazz. All About Jazz. January 5, 2023.
- 116.592494. All The Things You Are. album.
- 117.Eldredge, Richard L. New in Record Stores. Santa Cruz Sentinel. June 26, 2003.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
Institutional database
MusicBrainz artist record for Ahmad JamalMetaBrainz Foundation
Verifiedauthority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 1158243472, Ahmad Jamal <Syed>.Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Partially resolvedreference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q379613: Ahmad JamalWikimedia Foundation
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,307 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Aharon RazelPerson
- Ahasverus FritschPerson
- AhmadPerson
- Ahmad AdaweyyahPerson
- Ahmad Naser SarmastPerson
- Ahmad NawabPerson
- Ahmad WaliPerson
- Ahmad ZahirPerson
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