Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me (1958, MCA)

Jamal, Ahmad, born in 1930, American jazz pianist, b. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He started playing the piano at the age of three and became interested in jazz during the bop era. He began playing professionally at 18 and shortly thereafter came to the attention of Miles Davis, who cited Jamal as an important influence. In 1951 he formed his first trio; he has continued to create a uniquely orchestral sound, defining the jazz trio for some 50 years. In 1958 he and his group recorded Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing, featuring the song “Poinciana,” which became his signature tune. Jamal has been acclaimed for his cool post-bop style, melodic and rhythmic improvisations, dramatic pacing, dynamic effects, innovative small-ensemble arrangements, and use of musical space.
The release in 1958 of  ‘But Not For Me’ proved to be a turning point in Jamal’s career. Almost overnight the trio was in national demand, and the record was one of the year’s top selling albums. The album displays Jamal’s noted use of space and time as well as the trio’s extraordinary percussive meld of piano and rhythm section – all of which influenced no less than Miles Davis, who later covered several of the tunes here using ideas similar to Jamal’s.
Columbia Encyclopedia

Track List:
1.  But Not For Me
2.  Surrey With The Fringe On Top
3.  Moonlight In Vermont
4.  Music, Music, Music! (Put Another Nickel In)
5.  No Greater Love
6.  Poinciana
7.  Woody’n You
8.  What’s New

Personnel:
Ahmad Jamal (piano);
Israel Crosby (Bass),
Vernell Fournier (drums).

Original Release Date: January 16, 1958, Label: (Label: MCA)

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