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