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Legendary Pianist and Composer Ahmad Jamal Named Officer in French Order of Arts and Letters

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New York, NY--The French government has inducted Ahmad Jamal into its prestigious Order of the Arts and Letters, naming him Officier de L'Ordre Des Arts et Des Lettres (Officer, Order of Arts and Letters).

French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres honored the Pittsburgh-born pianist, arranger, composer and producer for his exceptional accomplishments in “American Classical Music." The Order of Arts and Letters is one of four French ministerial orders and the highest distinction for artistic or literary contributions. It was established in 1957 to recognize distinguished artists and writers and others who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts in France and around the world.

In being nominated to the rank of Officer, Mr. Jamal joins some of the most important American artists and writers including Ornette Coleman, Ralph Waldo Ellison, William Faulkner, Ella Fitzgerald, Allen Ginsberg, Richard Meier, Toni Morrison, Jackson Pollock, Patti Smith, Susan Sontag, and Charles Wadsworth.

Mr. Jamal is “deeply moved by this bestowal" and he accepts the medal as a reflection on his “beautiful relationship over the years with France and its people". His numerous awards include National Endowment for the Arts American Jazz Masters Fellowship Award (1994), CHOC de l'anne (1995), Django d'Or (1996), and the Steinway & Sons 150th Anniversary Gold Medallion (2003).

Ahmad Jamal, a child prodigy who began playing the piano at the age of 3, was born on July 2, 1930. He joined the musicians union at 14 and began his touring career at 17, after graduating from Westinghouse High School. In 1950, he formed his first trio, The Three Strings, and was “discovered" while performing at New York's The Embers club by record producer John Hammond, who signed them to Okeh Records, thus beginning his recording career.

Mr. Jamal has continued to record his outstanding original arrangements of such standards as “I Love You," “A Time For Love," “On Green Dolphin Street" (well before Miles Davis), and “End of a Love Affair," his own classic compositions, “Ahmad's Blues" (first recorded on October 25, 1951), “New Rhumba," “Manhattan Reflections," “Tranquility, Extensions," “The Awakening," “Night Mist Blues" and most recently “If I Find You Again," among many others. In 1970, Mr. Jamal performed the title tune by Johnny Mandel for the soundtrack of the film Mash; and in 1995, two tracks from his hit album But Not For Me, “Music, Music, Music" and “Poinciana" were featured in the Clint Eastwood film, The Bridges of Madison County.

For over a decade now, Mr. Jamal has released his recordings on Paris-based Dreyfus Records: The Essence, his first recording made with a horn, featuring tenor saxophonist George Coleman; Olympia 2000, his 70th Birthday “live" concert recording; The Essence, Part II and Part III and Live in Paris 1992 and Live in Paris 1996; 2003's In Search Of. . .Momentum [1-10], an arresting amalgam of new compositions and treasured standards played by his trio of choice, with long-time collaborators James Cammack on bass and Idris Muhammed on drums; and 2004's DVD, Live In Baalbeck, filmed in Lebanon at the magnificent Roman temple, which presents the master and his trio in top form--the 82 minute concert include Jamal's trademark song “Poinciana," Monty Alexander's “You Can See" and “Spring Is Here," the joyful calypso “Island Fever," the complex “Topsy Turvy" and his inventive original, “In Search Of." His latest CD on Dreyfus is After Fajr, an exploration of the impressive bond between his religious beliefs, (in the Islamic faith, 'Fajr' is the obligatory salah before sunrise--the first of five prayers a day), his musical essences--jazz and classical music--and the understated approach to the piano.

Mr. Ahmad Jamal is an exclusive Steinway piano artist.

For more information contact .

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