Ahmad Ali Nse

What a find. Brilliant original compositions and arrangements by one of the Jazz worlds greatest pianists; performing with a classical string quartet who opened their hearts to the whole concept of what Jazz is all about..a true spiritual fusion. Ahmad's solo improvisations are jewels of wisdom, tenderly recorded… This is a great CD.
With courage and humility Ahmad Jamal and the Assai Quartet venture into their uncharted common ground - a place where culture and tradition become muted backdrops to voices speaking freely. As it ought to be, the final composition, A Short Piece, features a solo for each member of the string quartet and then concludes with sophisticated harmonies that resolve into a simple lullaby.

Although Ahmad Jamal's recording career was erratic at this period, his live performances were as good as his earlier work. Teamed up with bassist Sabu Adeyola and drummer Payton Crossley, Jamal interprets a diverse program highlighted by "Waltz for Debbie" and "I've Never Been In Love Before," although recording "People" was probably a mistake.

It is a pity that this LP is long out of print (and that the Catalyst label went out of business quite awhile ago), for it gives listeners an excellent example of the playing of pianist Ahmad Jamal in the mid-1970s. His group (comprised of guitarist Calvin Keys, bassist John Heard, drummer Frank Gant and Seldon Newton on conga) was temporarily larger than usual, and Jamal stretches out on three originals (including "Effendi") and a lengthy remake of his biggest hit, "Poinciana."

An octogenarian jazz master who exerted an influence on not just other pianists, but most prominently on Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal has remained a vital presence on the music scene since the 1950s. His nuanced 2017 album, Marseille, finds him drawing upon his years of experience with a set of originals and covers that reveal just how vital and creative he remains. Primarily, the album showcases three distinctly varied interpretations of the title track, a hypnotic, modal ode to a city he loves, and to a greater extent a country that awarded him the prestigious Chevalier de L'Ordre des Arts et de Lettres in 2007. In fact, Marseille was even recorded in France; specifically in the Parisian suburb of Malakoff. Joining Jamal are several longtime associates including bassist James Cammack, former Jazz at Lincoln Center drummer Herlin Riley, and percussionist Manolo Badrena.