I’ve heard Ahmad Jamal a little on and off over the years. But I guess I’ve never really paid attention, until today.
With a long and prolific career, there’s a lot to catch up on. But I just started with something that I liked the look (and price!) of, The Awakening.
Recorded Feb’ 2-3, 1970, in NY, with Emil Nasser on bass and Frank Gant on drums, it’s a very interesting and ultimately, I think, rather beautiful album.
One very interesting thing is the material, and how it’s handled. The first three pieces are not familiar standards. Whereas three of the last four are. Or are they?
Ahmad and co, but particularly Jamal, take all the material way out, from its origins. Not ‘out’ as in appalling free jazz. But out as in the version of Jobim’s Wave is barely recognisable as such. But in a good way.
If some of the core qualities of jazz are freedom, expression, improvisation, change, surprise, and so on, then Jamal and his sideman deliver all of that, and more, right here.