Jamal was the first jazz musician I ever saw. It was at the large tent called the Meadowbrook Auction House in Essex County, NJ. It was 1960 and my girlfriend and took the bus on the ten-mile trip to a distant suburb of Newark for the 7pm concert. Jamal had become popular with his the release of the album "But Not for Me" which featured the smash hit single "Poinciana ". And here he is still pulling me in some 62 years later! I am so glad I've lived long enough to see him evolve from his preferred ensemble of three to work with larger configurations just as effectively. Whenever he is within 30 miles of me, I go to see him. So far, it's been twice at Blues Alley, twice at the University of Maryland and once at Ethel's Place in Baltimore. Before I become an ancestor, I hope I may see him "just one more time" to borrow the title of a song from the 50's. David Hugo Barrett, Author "A Newark Childhood
Great band and great tune. Ahmad is almost 84 years old and he hasn't let up not one bit. I played with him from 1975 until 92, off and on and his music was always fresh, was never the same from day to day. Now decades later, it has even gotten better and an awful lot of that has too do with the guys ( musicians ) that he has surrounding him. Not that we weren't also good, because we were for those times.
Yes!!! I still listen to you guys at the 85 Montreal jazz festival. You guys are amazing! Herlin Riley on the Drums, Selden Newton on percussion, James Cammack on Bass, That's right!
yeah.. also in my early 80s and still returning to youthful enthusiasms of Don and Ahmad such good precussion. ah...! So smart ...still Jesus sell my clothes mother i am going to heaven M.
I love it: "I try to discover things every day". Amazing that Ahmad Jamal will be 90 this year (2020), and is still so productive and energetic. He literally looks and moves like someone 25 yrs. younger than he is!! I love his beautiful, elegant music.
Saw this same group last night 10 18 19 in Nashville. Mr Jamal was equally flawless , looked great, strong voice, masterful chops. And of course Badrena, Riley, and Cammack--the world's greatest rhythm section was on fire too!
It was a pleasure to meet and greet with Ahmad Jamal a number of years ago in Seattle at jazz Alley. I recall telling Ahmad on his break I'm trying to get to my next level and trying to get away from too much reading of all the standards. The standard stuff of the likes of Erroll Garnor, of which is gorgeous, yes. However, the likes of which the standards via reading his stuff is not doing it for me. Thank you. Dean Jackson Seattle
"But Not for Me" ? non , je veux bien ma part du " sound" d' Ahmad et de son tempo... " Celui pour qui le soleil ne brille plus Il n’a plus besoin d’amour. Combien de chagrins pleurent pour lui, Il n’a pas besoin de le savoir. Hommes, laissez les morts tranquilles A vous appartient la vie Chacun a bien assez à faire A lever le bras et le regard. Laissez les morts ils sont libres Dans le sable humide. Vous, sortez de l’esclavage, De la misère et de la honte. Un combat vaudrait-il des lauriers, Epargnez à la mort ces cadeaux ! Mais reprenez l’épée du mort Et menez son combat jusqu’à la fin. Voulez-vous faire quelque chose de bien Pour ceux que la mort a rencontrés. Hommes, laissez les morts tranquilles Et accomplissez leur espoir. Erich MUHSAM."
