Ahmad Jamal Trio - Ahmad\'s Blues (1957) [Jazz][mp

Ahmad Jamal Trio - Ahmad's Blues
Year: 1957 (Chess)
Label: GRP (1994)
Total time: 65:09
Bitrate: CBR 320 kbps

"One of Miles Davis's favorite musicians, Ahmad Jamal has a unique approach as a pianist, ... Full Descriptioncomposer, and arranger that is highly influential and distinctive. Possessed of a light, almost classical touch, and a purveyor of negative space and minimal phrasing (his influence on Davis can certainly be seen here), Jamal worked largely in trio settings, and used his conceptions of space and subtlety to create dynamic tensions within the group. At the same time, the artist's work is rooted firmly in the blues and swings intently, without fail.

AHMAD'S BLUES, the CD reissue of the trio's 1958 live date in Washington D.C., demonstrates all of these qualities in spades. Supremely attentive playing by bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier (his brush work on the intricate, gear-shifting "Autumn Leaves" is especially noteworthy) provide groundwork, foil, and shifting frames for Jamal's virtuoso explorations. The ensemble's work brings new ideas -- the musicians often incorporate understated mambo, fractured swing rhythms, or airy, abstract structures -- to standards ( "Stompin' at the Savoy;" "Cheek to Cheek" ) and to Jamal's own compositions ( the delicate "Seleritus" ). AHMAD'S BLUES allows us to eavesdrop on the sophisticated, innovative artist and company at work."

This CD reissues most of the music recorded on one night by the 1958 Ahmad Jamal Trio (which consisted of the pianist/leader, bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier) during a live performance in Washington D.C. Originally released as the LP Ahmad Jamal plus part of Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal, these 16 selections display the uniqueness and tightness of this memorable unit. With great attention paid to dynamics and the use of space yet always swinging (at least lightly), the Ahmad Jamal Trio is heard at its best on such numbers as "It Could Happen to You," "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Squatly Roo," "A Gal in Calico" and "Let's Fall in Love." ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

Personnel:
Ahmad Jamal (Piano)
Israel Crosby (Double Bass)
Vernel Fournier (Drums)

Ahmad Jamal Trio - Ahmad's Blues Tracks:
01 Ahmad's Blues (Ahmad Jamal) 4:06
02 It Could Happen To You (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen) 4:15
03 I Wish I Knew (Mack Gordon/Harry Warren) 3:45
04 Autumn Leaves (Jacques Prevert/Johnny Mercer/Joseph Kosma) 7:40
05 Stompin' At The Savoy (Benny Goodman/Chick Webb/Edgar Sampson) 4:15
06 Cheek To Cheek (Irving Berlin) 4:47
07 The Girl Next Door (Ralph Blane/Hugh Martin) 3:26
08 Secret Love (Paul Francis Webster/Sammy Fain) 3:51
09 Squatty Roo (Johnny Hodges) 2:18
10 Taboo (S.K. Russel/Margarita Lecuona) 4:01
11 Autumn In New York (Vernon Duke) 3:18
12 A Gal In Calico (Leo Robin/Arthur Schwartz) 4:44
13 That's All (Allen Brandt/Bob Haynes) 2:38
14 Should I? (Arthur Freed/Nacio Herb Brown) 3:39
15 Seleritus (Ahmad Jamal) 3:12
16 Let's Fall In Love (Ted Koehler/Harold Arlen) 5:06