Ahmad Jamal

Ahmad Jamal (born July 2, 1930) is a highly-regarded American Jazz pianist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. His given name was Fritz Jones but upon converting to Islam around 1952 he began using the na

Ahmad Jamal (born July 2, 1930) is a highly-regarded American Jazz pianist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. His given name was Fritz Jones but upon converting to Islam around 1952 he began using the name Ahmad Jamal.

Jamal was one of Miles Davis's favorite pianists and was a key influence on the trumpeter's 1st classic quintet (featuring John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums). Davis had long admired Jamal's use of space and dynamics.