A child prodigy who began to play the piano at the age of three, he began formal studies at age seven. While in high school, he completed the equivalent of college master classes under the noted African-American concert singer and teacher Mary Cardwell Dawson and pianist James Miller. He joined the musicians’ union at the age of 14, and he began touring upon graduation from Westinghouse High School at the age of 17, drawing critical acclaim for his solos. In 1951 he formed his first trio, The Three Strings. Performing at New York’s The Embers club, Record Producer John Hammond “discovered” The Three Strings and signed them to Okeh Records (a division of Columbia, now Sony, Records.)
In 1956, Jamal, who had already been joined by bassist Israel Crosby in 1955, replaced guitarist Ray Crawford with a drummer. Working as the “house trio” at Chicago’s Pershing Hotel in 1958, drummer Vernell Fournier joined this trio and Mr. Jamal made an on-location recording for Argo (Chess) Records entitled But Not For Me. The resulting hit single and album, which also included Poinciana - - his rendition, now Mr. Jamal’s “trademark, “ remained on the Ten Best – selling charts - - amazingly for a jazz album - - an unprecedented 108 weeks! This financial success enabled Mr. Jamal to realize a dream, and he opened a restaurant/club, The Alhambra, in Chicago. Here the trio was able to perform while limiting their touring schedule.
Considering his trio "an orchestra", Jamal not only achieves a unified sound, but subtly inserted independent roles for the bass and drums. The hallmarks of Jamal's style are rhythmic innovations, colorful harmonic perceptions, especially left-hand harmonic and melodic figures, plus parallel and contrary motion lines in and out of chordal substitutions and alterations and pedal point ostinato interludes in tasteful dynamics. He also incorporates a unique sense of space in his music, and his musical concepts are exciting without being loud in volume. Augmented by a selection of unusual standards and his own compositions, Mr. Jamal would notably impress and influence, among others, trumpeter Miles Davis.
In 1951, Jamal first recorded Ahmad's Blues on Okeh Records. His arrangement of the folk tune Billy Boy, and Poinciana (not his original composition), also stem from this period. In 1955, he recorded his first Argo (Chess) Records album that included New Rhumba, Excerpts From The Blues, Medley (actually I Don't Want To Be Kissed), and It Ain't Necessarily So, -- all later utilized by Miles Davis and Gil Evans on the albums Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess.
In his autobiography, Miles Davis praised Jamal's special artistic qualities and cites his influence. In fact, the mid-to-late 1950s Miles Davis Quintet recordings notably feature material previously recorded by Jamal: Squeeze Me, It Could Happen To You, But Not For Me, Surrey With -The Fringe On Top, Ahmad's Blues, On Green Dolphin Street and Billy Boy
In 1994, Jamal received the American Jazz Masters fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts. The same year he was named a Duke Ellington Fellow at Yale University, where he performed commissioned works with the Assai String Quartet.
In 1970, Jamal performed the title composition by Johnny Mandel for the soundtrack of the film MASH!; and in 1995, two tracks from his smash album But Not For Me--Music, Music, Music, and Poinciana were featured in the Clint Eastwood film The Bridges of Madison County.
Jamal's 1996 release, The Essence (Verve 529 327-2) features a first -- a recording made with a horn, tenor saxophonist George Coleman. Already released in Europe, the album has received such critical comments as "Historique!" as well as the resulting outstanding sales and the"CHOC" award in France. The album has also received the D'jango award, and a concert at Salle Pleyel was sold out.
Hal Leonard Publications issued The Ahmad Jamal Collection Piano Transcriptions in 1998.
In 1994 Mr. Jamal received the National Endowment of the Arts American Jazz Masters award and also was named a Duke Ellington Fellow at Yale University.
In June of 2007 the French Government inducted Jamal into the prestigious Order of the Arts and Letters by French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, naming him Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Former recipients being William Faulkner, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jackson Pollack, Ella Fitzgerald, Alan Ginsberg and Tony Morrison.
His 2008 recording, “It’s Magic”, hit the US charts at #13 immediately after its release. It graced the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart, the iTunes Jazz Top 10, and it recently peaked at #2 on the Jazz Week Radio Chart In France. Jamal was awarded Best International Album (Album International de Production Francaise) by Les Victoire du Jazz, the French version of the Grammys. The album also garnered Record of the Year by Jazz Man magazine.
In his 80s, Jamal continued to make numerous tours and recordings, including albums such as Saturday Morning (2013), the CD/DVD release Ahmad Jamal Featuring Yusef Lateef Live at L'Olympia (2014), and Marseille (2017).
ahmadjamal.com
Superstition
Ahmad Jamal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeh, yeh
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer, superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
The lyrics of Ahmad Jamal's song Superstition are a warning against irrational beliefs and how they can lead to negative consequences in one's life. The repeated phrase "Very superstitious" serves to emphasize the seriousness of this message. The first verse describes common superstitions such as writing on the wall and walking under ladders, but also introduces more extreme examples like a thirteen month old baby breaking a mirror, an act that would supposedly bring seven years of bad luck. The next verse offers the solution of "rid[ding] me of the problem" and engaging in positive thinking to "keep me goin' strong." The final verse concludes with a firmly stated rejection of superstition and its harmful effects.
The overall theme of Superstition is the importance of educating oneself and avoiding harmful belief systems. The lyrics suggest that fear, ignorance, and reliance on superstition are detrimental to one's well-being. By encouraging the audience to question the superstitions they have grown up with, Ahmad Jamal sends a powerful message that encourages critical thinking and self-reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Very superstitious, writing on the wall
Believing in superstitions blindly is foolish, it's like reading meaning in unimportant things.
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
Considering a ladder's position as omens for good or bad fortune is ridiculous.
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Breaking a mirror is just an accident and not an omen of misfortune.
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
Holding onto past misfortunes can only bring misery and will not change the present or future.
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Believing in things without logical reasoning leads to unnecessary stress or harm.
Superstition ain't the way
Negating the value of belief in superstitions as it only breeds fear and anxiety.
Very superstitious, wash your face and hands
Trying to rid oneself of bad luck by performing practices like washing hands is pointless and illogical.
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Asking others to solve problems caused by superstitious beliefs is futile.
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
Hoping for good fortune without practical means or skills is pointless.
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
Feeling pitiful and helpless in a bad situation caused by superstitious beliefs.
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
No matter how much one talks or debates about superstitions, they will still be irrational.
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
Believing in abstract concepts like the devil as reality can lead to paranoia and mental distress.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
califgirl101
Yeah! Dig that smooth funky beat! Never before have I heard this man's incredible music until now! Thank you very much! :)
xavier reivax
my mother had this album and it was constantly playing in our house during a period of the mid 70,s
SeerTrulth
Young folks, I know you'll hear the artistry, but there's something else needed in your vibe on Ahmad. He was competent. He was a competent, system-expanding, hard-on-it human being. It takes that power (yours) to do things like this, that we admire. He did this to hear your power.
Charles Barry
What a surprise! Ahmad playing electric piano. He is also playing contemporary music. Well done. I am open to music of many types. I have a liking for music with good harmonies.
adolf hussain
Tap that foot and keep feeling good! Ahmad Jamal is LEGENDARY!
Richard werkNprog Hall
Love the sound of this Rhodes...dark and thick sounding. Oh, and the playing...man!!!
SymphonicDelight
wow, never knew the man covered this... i don't know if this is as innovative as misdemeanor, but it's pretty f'n sweet. thanks!
Rok Kuk
what a gem
wonder6789
So fresh it could have been recorded yesterday...
Всеволод Папшев
я раньше не понимал эту музыку. сейчас просто тащусь от неё