Current Events > Ahmad Jamal, measured maestro of the jazz piano, dies at 92

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https://www.npr.org/2023/04/16/846207919/ahmad-jamal-obituary

For most jazz performers, a song is part of a performance. For Ahmad Jamal, each song was a performance. Over the course of a remarkable eight-decade career, Jamal, who passed away Sunday at the age of 92, created stellar recordings both as an ambitious youth and a sagely veteran.

Jamal's death was confirmed by his daughter, Sumayah Jamal. He died Sunday afternoon in Ashley Falls, Mass., after a battle with prostate cancer.

Jamal's influence and admirers spread far and wide in jazz. For instance, Miles Davis found enormous inspiration in his work: In his 1989 autobiography, Miles, the legendary trumpeter said that Jamal "knocked me out with his concept of space, his lightness of touch, his understatement, and the way he phrases notes and chords and passages." Miles went on to record Jamal's "New Rhumba" on his classic 1957 recording Miles Ahead.

His contemporary admirers are just as fervent. Pianist Ethan Iverson, a founding member of the exceptionally popular trio The Bad Plus, said, "All of his pieces are theatrical and contained. In some ways the Bad Plus was an extension of his classic trio."

Pianist Vijay Iyer was just as adamant. "His sense of time is that of a dancer, or a comedian. His left hand stays focused, and his right hand is always in motion, interacting with, leaning on, and shading the pulse.
"He bends any song to his will, always open to the moment and always pushing the boundaries, willing to override whatever old chestnut he's playing in search of something profoundly alive."

R.I.P. He was one of the best.

RIP

I'm glad someone on CE made a topic about him. I loved his stuff. Rest in Peace indeed.

Dang, 92? He lived a good long while. R.I.P.

One of the kings

RIP. Made a lot of great music with that piano.

I have listened to a few of his works.
Here's one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKaes5EU4NQ

The jazz stations kind of did him dirty. The only piece they ever play by him is "Poinciana". The piece "I Love Music" is even more brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8NQgqYoVQ