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Ahmad Jamal
Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz

Pianist Ahmad Jamal performs on this week's Piano Jazz. Remy Gabalda/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Remy Gabalda/AFP/Getty Images

Jazz

Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz

One of the most popular stylists in contemporary jazz, the pianist joined Marian McPartland for a 1985 session.

Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz

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Ahmad Jamal, 'A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order,' Keeps On Building

At 84, acclaimed jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal is still recording and touring Karen Michel hide caption

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Karen Michel

Music News

Ahmad Jamal, 'A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order,' Keeps On Building

At 84, the acclaimed jazz pianist is still recording and touring. Among his many achievements is one that often eludes even the most beloved jazz artists: mainstream popularity.

Ahmad Jamal, 'A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order,' Keeps On Building

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Ahmad Jamal Weaves Old And New On 'Saturday Morning'

Ahmad Jamal. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Ahmad Jamal Weaves Old And New On 'Saturday Morning'

Fresh Air

The jazz pianist uses his new record to recall works of yesteryear and simultaneously illustrate his new sense of direction. Jamal isn't playing the way he did 60 years ago, now that he's finished warming up.

Ahmad Jamal Weaves Old And New On 'Saturday Morning'

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Best Music Of 2008

Geniuses Collide In 2008's Best Jazz

90.5 WESA

Cross-pollination of excellent musicians made for some amazing jazz in 2008. The year's best CDs feature numerous musicians collaborating with each other on a wide variety of recordings. Hearing the best musicians work with other geniuses is a wonderful thing to witness. Here are 10 of the best jazz CDs of the year.

Hear Shaunna Morrison Machosky Discuss Her Top Pick

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Studio Sessions

Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz

Ever since his 1958 live album from Chicago's Pershing Lounge, Ahmad Jamal has been recognized as a major force in jazz. In this program from 1985, Jamal reprises two signature pieces from that session in duets with Marian McPartland: "Poinciana" and "But Not for Me."

Ahmad Jamal in Studio on Piano Jazz 1985

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Music Interviews

1,000 Essential Recordings You Must Hear

Covering music from Marian Anderson to ZZ Top, 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die: A Listener's Life List covers all genres in its more than 900 pages. It's driven by the notion that "the more you love music, the more music you love." Author Tom Moon submits his picks for the best summer recordings.

1,000 Essential Recordings You Must Hear

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Review

Basic Jazz Record Library

Ahmad Jamal: 'Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me'

Ahmad Jamal was one of the few jazz musicians who achieved commercial success, having several hits on the R&B charts. He also had a major influence on Miles Davis. This album, Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me, contains "Poinciana," which played on jukeboxes across the country.

Ahmad Jamal: 'Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me'

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