Ahmad Jamal Archive

Ahmad Jamal – Marseille – Jazz Village 

by Audiophile Audition | Oct 17, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Ahmad Jamal – Marseille – Jazz Village (distr. by Harmonia Mundi), 59:38 ****1/2: (Ahmad Jamal – piano; James Cammack – double bass; Herlin Riley – drums; Manolo Badrena – percussion; Abd Al Malik – vocals/track 4; Mina Agossi – vocals/track 8) There are many jazz legends that have  careers that endure well into their golden years. Perhaps there is no greater example of this phenomenon than Pittsburgh native Ahmad Jamal. With early influences like Art Tatum and Earl Hines, Jamal began recording in 1951, a year after changing his name. His early live recording At The Pershing (1958) received critical acclaim and featured the renowned “Poinciana”. Jamal was one of the important contributors to cool jazz. Like Miles Davis and others, this genre attempted to diverge from the lightning-speed of bebop and move jazz into the realm of popular music. His compositions and instrumental style placed emphasis on spacing and timing. This jazz legend has consistently recorded over a span of 65 years. At eighty-seven years of age, Jamal continues to amaze. His spacious approach to jazz and song  interpretation is unique. His current release, Marseille is a heartfelt acknowledgement to the country and specifically the city that has inspired […]