Ahmad Jamal Trio Ahmad Jamal At The Pershing: But Not For Me (Mono)

180g Vinyl Mono LP Pressed At Quality Record Pressings!
Mastered at Sterling Sound From The Original Master Tapes!
Best-selling, highly-recommended jazz album, ranked No. 21 on Jazzwise's list of 100 Jazz Albums That Shook The World!
This is one of the best-selling jazz records of all time, but among audiophiles, it's significantly less well-known than other classics in the genre. Jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and Grammy nominee Ahmad Jamal has been one of the most successful leaders in jazz for five decades and one of the great pianists of the genre. His artistry, talent and creativity delight audiences and are praised by musicians and music lovers alike.
In 1956, Jamal's new trio (with Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums) played at the Pershing Hotel in Chicago. Two years later, on January 16, 1958, the group recorded "At The Pershing: But Not For Me" in the lounge of the hotel. The album stayed in the top ten best-selling albums for 108 weeks.
AllMusic rated the album 4 stars, calling it a turning point in Jamal's career. "At The Pershing: But Not For Me" became one of the best-selling records in Chess Records history. Chess Records is synonymous with the Chicago electric blues scene of the 1950s, when legendary names such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry rose to prominence and helped establish Leonard and Phil Chess's label as one of the leading exponents of R&B music in America. It is often forgotten that a jazz pianist named Ahmad Jamal played an important role in filling the coffers of Chess Records and expanding its audience.
A native of Pittsburgh, Jamal was a child prodigy who started playing the piano at the age of three and caught the attention of the great jazz musician Art Tatum as a teenager. After moving to Chicago in 1948, he was finally discovered by the visionary record producer John Hammond, who had made Billie Holiday famous and later helped Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan to world fame. Hammond gave Jamal his first recording in 1951, but it wasn't until seven years later, when the pianist was signed to Chess Records, that his career took off.
Jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, Grammy-nominee, and Kennedy Center legend Ahmad Jamal has for five decades been one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz and one of the genre's all-time great pianists. His artisty, talent and creative abilities have thrilled audiences and been broadly proclaimed by musician and music lover alike. At The Pershing: But Not For Me is Jamal's dazzling fountain of creative splendor in full flow.
Jamal, from Pittsburgh, was a child prodigy who started playing piano at age 3 and, as a teen, caught the ear of jazz great Art Tatum. Then, after moving to Chicago, in 1948, he was eventually discovered by visionary record producer John Hammond, the patrician entrepreneur who had brought Billie Holiday to prominence and later helped to bring Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan to the attention of the wider world. Hammond gave Jamal his first shot at recording in 1951, but it was seven years later, when the pianist was signed to Chess Records, that his career truly skyrocketed.
At The Pershing: But Not For Me topped America's jazz charts for months and established a 107-week residence in Billboard's album charts.
"That album sold over one million copies and is still selling," Jamal says. He attributes its success to the power of music. "It's contagious. Music belongs to the world. So something that is of value, whether it's Ravel's Boléro or, specifically, At The Pershing, the world listens. And if it's good, you're going to get one or two listeners... and I got a few more than two!"
The Analogue Productions reissue LP has matchless listen-ability, employing steps calculated to extract the highest-quality transfer and playback from the original master tape. Mastering took place at Sterling Sound, while plating and 180-gram pressing is by Quality Record Pressings. A Stoughton Printing old-style tip-on jacket completes the package.
"Jamal's ideas about integrated and disciplined trio interplay had already deeply influenced jazz's inner circle of musicians while his piano-guitar-bass trio was around throughout the early 1950s. However, things went supernova-ish when this incredible unit made and released this jazz best-seller in 1958. Nobody remained untouched by his light-but-tight approach, his winningly imaginative arrangements and his incredible attention to dynamics. The highlight may have been 'Poinciana', but every track is an object lesson in how to draw the best from a tune. That it was no flash in the pan is shown by the music's drawing power and continuing fascination today, as well as its ability to influence every new generation of pianists." - Jazzwise, "The 100 Jazz Albums That Shook The World"

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Mono
• Mastered from the original master tapes
• Mastered at Sterling Sound
• Plated and pressed by Quality Record Pressings
• Old-style tip-on jacket by Stoughton Printing

Musicians:

• Ahmad Jamal, piano
• Israel Crosby, bass
• Vernell Fournier, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. But Not For Me
2. Surrey With The Fringe On Top
3. Moonlight In Vermont
4. Music, Music, Music
5. No Greater Love
Side B
1. Poinciana
2. Wood'yn You
3. What's New