Ahmad Jamal

The Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal

Although it was issued in 1959, the LP The Piano Scene of Ahmad Jamal compiles performances from Jamal's earliest recording sessions for Okeh in 1951-52 in Chicago, and a 1955 Epic session from October 1955 in New York. Jamal and guitarist Ray Crawford are present on all sides, while bassist Eddie Calhoun plays on the 1951-52 recordings, and Israel Crosby replaces him on the 1955 tracks. When Jamal recorded all of these sides, he was still years away from attaining success, which would come after the release of his 1958 Pershing and Spotlight live performances. Nine tracks from the same sessions, not included on the original LP, have been added as a bonus.

"Music chose me. I didn't choose it. At three-years old, when you start playing at three, you really haven't made any choice. It has chosen you. Like Tiger Woods and the

golf clubs. When you start that young, I think the career has chosen you." (Ahmad Jamal, 2002)

AHMAD JAMAL, piano

RAY CRAWFORD, guitar

ISRAEL CROSBY or EDDIE CALHOUN, bass

Recorded in Chicago & New York, 1951-55.