Ahmad Jamal Piano, Composer Born July 2, 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA
Photo courtesy of Maurice Montoya Music Agency

Information for Presenters

Available for:
Concert performance.

Bands and instrumentation:
Trio (w/bass and drums).

Ensembles comfortable performing with or conducting as a visiting artist:
Professional big band.

Available as a soloist or to work with a local resident band or rhythm section?
No.

Availability:
Flexible.

Contact information:
Maurice Montoya
Maurice Montoya Music Agency
1133 Broadway, Suite 1605
New York, NY 10010
Ph: 212/229-9160 cell: 646/621-4892
Email: Maurice@mmmusicagency.com
Web: www.mmmusicagency.com

OR
James Ziefert
Joel Chriss Company
300 Mercer St., Suite 3T
New York, NY 10003
Ph: 212/353-0855 cell: 646/831-7121
Email: jamesziefert@aol.com or jchriss@aol.com
Web: www.jchriss.com

Biography

One of the subtlest virtuosos of jazz piano, Ahmad Jamal's uncanny use of space in his playing and leadership of his small ensembles have been hallmarks of his influential career. Among those he has influenced is most notably Miles Davis. Davis made numerous and prominent mentions of Jamal's influence on the trumpeter, particular in his use of space, allowing the music to "breathe," and his choice of compositions. Several tunes that were in Jamal's playlist, such as the standard "Autumn Leaves" and Jamal's own "New Rhumba," began appearing in the playlist of Davis' 1950s bands. Additionally, Jamal's textured rhythms on piano influenced Davis' piano players as well, from Wynton Kelly in the 1950s to Herbie Hancock in the 1960s.

His piano studies began at age three, and by age 11, he was making his professional debut with a sound strongly influenced by Art Tatum and Erroll Garner. Following graduation from Pittsburgh's Westinghouse High School, he joined the George Hudson band in 1947. In 1949, he joined swing violinist Joe Kennedy's group Four Strings as pianist. This led to formation of his trio Three Strings in 1950-52, which debuted at Chicago's Blue Note club, and later became the Ahmad Jamal Trio. His 1958 album At the Pershing became a surprising smash hit, highlighted by his interpretation of "Poinciana." With the popularity of the album and the advocacy of Davis, Jamal's trio was one of the most popular jazz acts in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

For the most part, Jamal has worked in piano-bass-drums trios, using the intricate relationship of the band to explore his sound, directing the trio through seemingly abrupt time and tempo shifts. His piano virtuosity has also been welcomed by a number of orchestras and his abilities as a composer are considerable. His approach has been described as being chamber-jazz-like, and he has experimented with strings and electric instruments in his compositions.

Mr. Jamal was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2003.

Selected Discography
At the Pershing/But Not for Me, Chess, 1958
Free Flight, Impulse!, 1971
Rossiter Road, Atlantic, 1986
Big Byrd: The Essence, Part 2, Verve, 1994-95
After Fajr, Birdology/Dreyfus Jazz, 2004

Biography from NEA Jazz Masters (NEA, 2006). Copies can be ordered free of charge through our Publications section.

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