RIP Ahmad Jamal (1930-2023)

Last of the Great Bebop Pianists

Ahmed Jamal resides in the pantheon of American jazz. He was a critical part of the midcentury bebop movement and a “Cool Jazz” icon. Like the great Bill Evans, Jamal’s musical vocabulary was based on chordal harmony rather than the aggressively complex “hard bop” sound made famous by Charlie Parker and his many imitators.

Miles Davis spoke of Jamal in his autobiography.

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.

Like Davis, Jamal eschewed the word “jazz” to describe his art, calling it (correctly, IMHO) “American Classical Music.” His music was a favorite of hip-hop artists who frequently sampled his work, most notably his 1973 Theme From M*A*S*H.

He was beloved in Europe, especially Paris. I offer Poinciana, from his iconic Live in Paris.