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Influential jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal has released a pair of archival albums

Ahmad Jamal, photographed during the Marciac Jazz Festival on Aug. 3, 2016 in Marciac, France.
Remy Gabalda
/
AFP via Getty Images
Ahmad Jamal, photographed during the Marciac Jazz Festival on Aug. 3, 2016 in Marciac, France.

With a style both sophisticated and sanctified, Ahmad Jamal is known for an artful use of space in his music, which goes hand in hand with his dramatic sense of tension and release. He stands as an inspiration to peers like Miles Davis and countless others — including scores of hip-hop fans, who know Jamal through a few iconic samples of his work.

Zev Feldman is a record producer who has become synonymous with the discovery of archival gems, including two new volumes of live performances from Jamal that find the pianist in his prime, between the years 1963-66, they've titled Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse. Together the recordings capture a jazz master at a dynamic peak, leading a succession of trios with a light touch but absolute command.

Jamal spoke to WRTI's Nate Chinen about the new archivial collection and the process of looking, sometimes, in the rear-view mirror.

To hear this story, use the audio player at the top of this page.

Copyright 2022 WRTI . To see more, visit WRTI .

[Copyright 2024 WRTI Your Classical and Jazz Source]

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.