Ahmad Jamal: Classic Concert Series: At The Pershing Vol. 1 & 2 / Alhambra / All Of You

AVID Jazz presents the latest release in their Classic Concert Series with a re-mastered 2CD release that contains Four Classic Live Jazz Albums from Ahmad Jamal, complete with original artwork, liner notes and personnel details.

"At The Pershing Vol. 1 (But Not For Me)"; "Jamal At The Pershing vol.2"; "Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra" and "All Of You - Live At The Alhambra".

Born in Pittsburgh in 1930 and still going strong today, 90+ years later, Ahmad Jamal started playing piano at 3 years old and turned professional at 14! His early influences include Earl Hines, Erroll Garner and Mary Lou Williams and he has the distinction of being spotted as a "coming great" by none other than Art Tatum. He discovered Islam in his 20s and in 1950 Fred Jones became Ahmad Jamal as he took the Muslim faith. Jamal started his recording career for Okeh in 1951 as The Three Strings, who would later be known as The Ahmad Jamal Trio, although Jamal himself disliked the term trio. In 1957 Vernell Fournier joined the trio on drums and significantly changed the sound of the band that was heard in 1958 at the famed Pershing hotel in Chicago. The first volume would go on to spend 108 weeks on the charts! Here we feature both sets Jamal performed over two nights with Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums. The financial success of the Pershing recordings allowed Jamal to open his own restaurant and club called The Alahambra in Chicago. It's from here that we present the second half of our live set, Jamal's two sets again with Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums recorded live in 1961. Ahmad Jamal's unique piano style has often been overlooked in the roll call of great jazz pianists however his place in "American Classical music" (as he liked to describe jazz) has been assured over his long and still continuing career. Hailed by Miles Davis as his favourite pianist for his use of space and lightness of touch and considered by jazz critic Stanley Crouch as the second most important jazz innovator since 1945 after Charlie Parker, Ahmad Jamal is a true legend of the art of jazz. His beautiful under-stated piano playing will surely bring a smile to your face. As with all AVID releases, we hope you enjoy this classic set and check out our extensive catalogue for more great music across jazz, blues, country and many other musical genres.