Jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal dies at 92

MADRID, 17 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The American jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal has died this Sunday at his home in Ashley Falls, in the state of Massachusetts, at the age of 92 from prostate cancer.

Over the course of eight decades of his professional career, Jamal, who began his formal piano studies at the age of 7, has won several awards, including the Grammy for lifetime achievement.

Jazz composer Miles Davis, trumpeter and conductor, affirmed how the pianist influenced him by declaring: "All my inspiration comes from Ahmad Jamal," reports the newspaper 'The New York Times'.

Jamal was born Frederick Russell Jones in Pittsburgh in July 1930. At the age of three he began playing the piano, and four years later he began his formal studies. Upon joining the Musicians Union at the age of 14, pianist Art Tatum praised him as saying he had "a great future."

In the early and mid 1950s, he led various trios and quartets until settling in a trio with bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier, who released 'At The Pershing: But Not For Me', which is one of the most successful recordings. popular and influential figures in the history of jazz.

Later, in the late sixties, he recorded 'The Awakening', which was widely acclaimed for its originality by jazz standards.

He has also composed music for soundtracks for several films and has founded several record labels. He released up to three albums a year in the late 1960s and early 1970s, recording more than 60 in his career.