About

A TAV Essential Listening Album.

Renowned pianist Ahmad Jamal was already a respected contributor to the American jazz
cannon (one great admirer being Miles Davis) during the 1950s and early-60s - but it was not
until he disbanded his original trio and formed a new band with Jamil Nasser on bass and Frank
Gant on drums, that Jamal transcended to become a giant. This 1970 release on the cutting-
edge Impulse! label represents the highwater mark of Jamal’s second coming. The Awakening

reveals Jamal’s eye-opening reinvention that combined his signature early characteristics -
elegance and economy - alongside his denser and more dynamic new style. Comprised of
original compositions as well as remarkable reinterpretations of compositions by Herbie
Hancock and Oliver Nelson (among others), this album fortifies Jamal’s vision when it comes to
improvisation and navigating arrangements, and was subsequently sampled by hip-hop greats
Nas and Gang Starr.

Genre: Jazz, Post Bop, Piano

[Reissue: 2023 (Originally released: 1970), 1LP, Impulse! // Verve By Request/Third Man]