The Facts
Born: July 2, 1930, Pittsburgh, PA
Early Studies: Age 3, Began Playing Piano
Mary Caldwell Dawson, noted concert singer and teacher
James Miller, Pianist and teacher
High School: Westinghouse High School, Pittsburgh, PA
Early Piano Influences: Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Erroll Garner
First Professional Job: George Hudson Orchestra - 1949 - Age 18
National Tour: Received critical acclaim for his solos
First Group: 1949 - The Four Strings
Accompanist: 1950 - The Caldwells, a popular song and dance team
First Trio: 1950 - The Three Strings, with Israel Crosby and Ray Crawford
Records for Okeh [CBS Records]
Critical and Popular Acclaim, New York and Chicago
1950s/1960s: Trio Recordings w/ Israel Crosby [Bass], Vernell Fournier [Drums]
Argo-Cadet Records releases succession of Hit Records
1960s/1970s: Trio Recordings with Jamil Nasser [Bass], Frank Gant [Drums]
ABC/Impulse Records continues releasing Jamal's Legacy
M.A.S.H. Film Recordings
1980s/1990s: Atlantic, Polygram, Telarc Records
1994: American Jazz Master Fellowship, National Endowment of the Arts
Duke Ellington Fellow, Yale University
1995: The Film, The Bridges of Madison County
Poinciana and Music, Music, Music
Available on Ahmad Jamal - But Not For Me - GRD 9108
1996: Django D'or Award for "The Essence, Pt 1" CD
Salle Pleyel, Paris concert, sold out
1998: "The Ahmad Jamal Collection" - piano transcriptions publication
2003: Gold Medallion from Steinway & Songs 150 Years Celebration (1853–2003)
2007: Named Living Jazz Legend by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2011: Induction into Downbeat Magazine’s 76th Reader’s Poll Hall of Fame