American Jazzscapes in the Middle East - Artists
👤

Ahmad Jamal

Name: Ahmad Jamal
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Jamal
Wikipedia Summary: Ahmad Jamal, born Frederick Russell Jones, was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. While not explicitly focused on Middle Eastern themes, his conversion to Islam in 1950 influenced his music and life philosophy. Jamal's style, characterized by space and restraint, indirectly reflected Islamic principles of balance and contemplation.
Born: 1930
Died: 2023
Url1: https://www.ahmadjamal.com/
Url2: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ahmad-jamal-mn0000924030
Notes: Ahmad Jamal's interest in Islamic culture, while not directly translating into overt Middle Eastern musical themes, significantly influenced his approach to music. His conversion to Islam in 1950 led him to change his name and adopt Islamic practices, which in turn informed his musical sensibilities. Jamal's use of space and restraint in his playing style can be seen as a reflection of Islamic principles of balance and contemplation.