Freeflight - Ahmad Jamal (1971)
As I’m writing this (April 17) it just hit the news that Ahmad Jamal has died. I try not to make this an obituary column, but I figured it was worth taking a break from my “next up” list for him.
Jamal was a brilliant pianist and composer who could easily have coasted off the success of his 50s and 60s recordings. But instead, he kept forging ahead, trying new things, and making interesting music for deacdes after that.
This record is taken from his show at the Montreaux Festival in 1971. It’s a typical piano trio setup, although he plays an electric piano in places to vary his sound a bit.
Jamal is one of my favorite pianists because he just seems so organized. Even when he’s furiously vamping it seems like he knows exactly where he’ll end up.