Jamal's 1996 release, The Essence (Verve 529 327-2) features a first – a recording made with a horn, tenor saxophonist George Coleman. A child prodigy who began to play the piano at the age of three, he began formal studies at age seven.
Ahmad Jamal discography and songs: Music profile for Ahmad Jamal, born 2 July 1930. The hallmarks of Mr. Jamal's style are rhythmic innovations, colorful harmonic perceptions, especially left hand harmonic and melodic figures, plus parallel and contrary motion lines in and out of chordal substitutions and alterations and pedal point ostinato interludes in tasteful dynamics.
Jamal began formal piano training at the age of seven with Mary Cardwell Dawson, whom he describes as greatly influencing him. This financial success enabled Mr. Jamal to realize a dream, and he opened a restaurant/club, The Alhambra, in Chicago.
In 1994, Mr. Jamal received the American Jazz Masters fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Augmented by a selection of unusual standards and his own compositions, Mr. Jamal would notably impress and influence, among others, trumpeter Miles Davis.Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United StatesHis latest recording, “It’s Magic” released in June of 2008 hit the charts at #13 immediately after its release in the US, being touted as one of his finest works yet to date. Albums include The Awakening, But Not for Me: Ahmad Jamal Trio at the Pershing, and Chamber Music of the New Jazz. ; and in 1995, two tracks from his smash album But Not For Me–Music, Music, Music, and Poinciana were featured in the Clint Eastwood film The Bridges of Madison County.In his autobiography, Mr. Davis praises Mr. Jamal's special artistic qualities and cites his influence. Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones, July 2, 1930) is an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator. Performing at New York’s The Embers club, Record Producer John Hammond “discovered” The Three Strings and signed them to Okeh Records (a division of Columbia, now Sony, Records. Already released in Europe, the album has received such critical comments as "Historique!" as well as the resulting outstanding sales and the"CHOC" award in France. In fact, the mid-to-late1950's Miles Davis Quintet recordings notably feature material previously recorded by Mr. Jamal: Squeeze Me, It Could Happen To You, But Not For Me, Surrey With -The Fringe On Top, Ahmad's Blues, On Green Dolphin Street and Billy BoyConsidering his trio "an orchestra", Mr. Jamal not only achieves a unified sound, but subtly inserts independent roles for the bass and drums.