Ahmad Jamal
The influential jazz legend; his early life, career and greatest achievements
Personal life
Born Frederick Russell Jones on the 2nd of July, 1930, Ahmad Jamal is considered one of the most successful band leaders in the history of jazz. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jamal started playing piano at just three years old. This was actually the result of a challenge issued to him by his uncle, who himself was a pianist. Jamal was challenged to mimic whatever his uncle did on the piano, which led him to showcase his innate skill.
Jamal would eventually begin formal piano training at the age of seven. He studied under Mary Cardwell Dawson, the founder of the National Negro Opera Company, who would actually serve as his main musical inspiration going forward. Aside from this, he also considered his Pittsburgh roots as another important part of his musical identity.
By just 14, Jamal was already established as an accomplished musician—a time when most of his peers would be busy playing games and focusing on their academics.
Career
Jamal kickstarted his career as a professional pianist when his one-of-a-kind talent was recognised by pianist Art Tatum, who dubbed him as a “coming great”. Jamal regularly performed in the local jazz scene, eventually touring with George Hudson’s Orchestra in 1949. He would leave Hudson’s group to join a new outfit with swing violinist Joe Kennedy, called The Four Strings. He would stay with the group until Kennedy himself left around 1950.
Jamal would also leave the band to relocate to Chicago and form his own group, The Three Strings. He worked with guitarist Ray Crawford and bassist Eddie Calhoun, and the group was good enough to catch the ear of John Hammond, a legendary executive for Columbia Records. Hammond signed the group to OKeh, a Columbia subsidiary, in 1951. It was during this time that Jamal released a number of influential albums that would be considered among the greatest jazz records of all time…
