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Ahmad Jamal

90.176.255.165
Posted on August 25, 2017 at 12:45:30
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4382
Joined: October 20, 2000
 Ahmad Jamal is one of my favourite and most listened to artists. He's still with us at the age of 87.

I'm attaching a particularly nice track - a song by another pianist, Andre Previn. And he's 88.

They've both been doing something right......

 

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RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 25, 2017 at 13:03:59
electrovice
 I saw Jamal play at Dimitriou"s Jazz Alley in Seattle about 7 or 8 years ago. Our table was at the stage and about three feet from his right hand. Great show.

John

 

newer Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 25, 2017 at 13:11:34
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15387
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 an all analog record if you get the LP. deep piano bass!
...regards...tr

 

RE: +1 nt, posted on August 25, 2017 at 13:57:59
Travis
Audiophile

Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra, posted on August 25, 2017 at 15:17:51
rrob
Audiophile

Posts: 762
Location: Kansas
Joined: February 7, 2010
 This is my most listened to Ahmad Jamal Lp. Recorded in 1961 live in his Chicago club.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 25, 2017 at 16:36:56
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Agreed-

AJ still releases great Jazz discs. My (2) classic faves are Live at Pershing, But Not For Me and The Awakening.

(2) newer classics- Blue Moon and Saturday Morning.

 

RE: newer Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 25, 2017 at 17:57:02
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 I had a contemporary jazz radio show when I was in college. I used to play that album on my show.... I wasn't into traditional jazz at the time but that record, time out and there was an Arthur Blythe album that I liked represented the beginning of my interest. I had completely forgotten about that LP!

 

I'm a huge Jamal fan - have 15 of his recordings. A truly unique player. nt , posted on August 25, 2017 at 21:43:52
Rick W
 nt

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra, posted on August 25, 2017 at 22:20:30
Rick W
 Very nice version of that tune and prototypical Jamal. Hmm, may have to look for that album on LP. Ever heard Sonny Rollins' version?

 

He was very good to the staff where he played, posted on August 25, 2017 at 23:55:18
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4382
Joined: October 20, 2000
 I saw him at the Jazz Cafe in London. At the end of his booking he gave substantial tips to all the waitresses.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra, posted on August 26, 2017 at 03:15:17
rrob
Audiophile

Posts: 762
Location: Kansas
Joined: February 7, 2010
 I had not heard the Sonny Rollins' version. Very nice as well!

After purchasing several noisy copies of the Alhambra LP, I bought a digital version from Acoustic Sounds. It was recorded from an LP and is excellent.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 26, 2017 at 05:19:10
suretyguy
Audiophile

Posts: 3022
Location: western Missouri
Joined: October 9, 2001
 In case you're not old enough to remember, he was one of those, along with Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis in particular, victimized among jazz critics and fans because he enjoyed some commercial success with Poinciana. Back in the day the worst thing a jazz musician could do was have a hit recording that actually generated some money.

Fortunately the musical worth of these players has since been established and they are recognized appropriately.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 26, 2017 at 08:43:12
Gary
Audiophile

Posts: 1296
Location: New York, NY
Joined: April 21, 2000



This is one of my favorites. As far as I know only available on vinyl.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 27, 2017 at 10:24:43
Eire51
Audiophile

Posts: 112
Location: Midwest
Joined: December 1, 2004
 All,

What are some of your other favorite albums by him? I would like to explore more of his music.

 

You asked for it :), posted on August 27, 2017 at 10:38:07
axolotl
Audiophile

Posts: 3955
Location: So. California
Joined: September 10, 2002
 Ahmad Jamal Trio at the Pershing: But Not for Me
Jamal at the Penthouse
Ahmad Jamal Extensions
Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal
Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra
Ahmad Jamal: The Awakening
Ahmad Jamal: Chicago Revisited / Live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase


axolotl

 

RE: newer Ahmad Jamal, posted on August 27, 2017 at 10:53:20
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 I knew that you were "cool" -GEO.

 

I'll add a couple, posted on August 27, 2017 at 11:43:36
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4382
Joined: October 20, 2000
 Happy Moods - love "Time on my Hands" specially, but it's all good.

At the Top: Poinciana Revisited - This is essential listening for me, and "Theme from Valley of the Dolls" is a little gem. Same period as the Awakening but I listen more to this.

"Have You Met Miss Jones" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) - 3:47
"Poinciana" (Buddy Bernier, Nat Simon) - 9:19
"Lament" - 8:05
"Call Me" (Tony Hatch) - 4:51
"(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls" (Andre Previn) - 4:23
"Frank's Tune" (Frank Strozier) - 5:50
"How Insensitive" (Ant

 

RE: You asked for it :), posted on August 27, 2017 at 16:43:13
Eire51
Audiophile

Posts: 112
Location: Midwest
Joined: December 1, 2004
 Thank you...:>)

 

RE: I'll add a couple, posted on August 27, 2017 at 16:46:07
Eire51
Audiophile

Posts: 112
Location: Midwest
Joined: December 1, 2004
 Most appreciated

 

With the great Herlin Riley on drums... nt, posted on August 28, 2017 at 07:25:02
k-k-k-kenny
Audiophile

Posts: 552
Location: Melbourne
Joined: May 5, 2007
 .

 

oh yes!, posted on August 28, 2017 at 07:51:46
k-k-k-kenny
Audiophile

Posts: 552
Location: Melbourne
Joined: May 5, 2007
 For mine the original Poinciana is one of the essential items of our culture, up with Richter playing Rachmaninoff's prelude Op 32 No 10. It's a remarkable performance. (And there were still a few clowns who talked the whole way through it. Just goes to show... )
Jamal can conjure an amazing variety of tone from a piano. Most pianists, especially non-classical players, get just louder or softer but without a true change of sound. He can really make it crunch when he wishes, or sing. And plays all the spaces...

 

The Vernel Fournier beat on Poinciana..., posted on August 29, 2017 at 01:30:22
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 4382
Joined: October 20, 2000
 One of the iconic beats of all time.

Vernel Fournier discusses how he came to the beat on YT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoDvm97jM5k

"There's very little that's impossible for us to do".....

That was a very spiritual trio - three deep and humble personalities.

I urge you to listen to the demonstration attached right through - it's fascinating.

 

RE: The Vernel Fournier beat on Poinciana..., posted on August 29, 2017 at 13:30:50
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nice point and video- Andy.
VF was really onto something as he created this historically important beat.
Other Jazz drummers certainly incorporate across many, many recordings.

 

RE: The Vernel Fournier beat on Poinciana..., posted on August 29, 2017 at 13:32:58
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 2nd Note;
this beat would go forward as a New Orleans styled- creation. Always goos to see another (real) Jazz Hound in the room as well.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on September 3, 2017 at 17:15:43
George6
Audiophile

Posts: 182
Joined: November 18, 2012
 Another great set by the original trio with Fournier on drums, recorded at the Spotlight in Washington DC, was released as a two LP set called "Portfolio".
It's on CD as "Ahmad's Blues", Chess GRD-803. Bass is a bit heavy, but otherwise good sound.
Portions of that, along with some tracks recorded at the Pershing in Chicago and the Blackhawk in SF are on a two CD set called "Cross Country Tour", GRD2-813. Quite good sound throughout, and very good choice of tracks.

 

RE: Ahmad Jamal, posted on September 9, 2017 at 11:49:19
Eire51
Audiophile

Posts: 112
Location: Midwest
Joined: December 1, 2004
 Thanks!

 

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