Ahmad Jamal Obituary, Cause Of Death, Age, Family

May 2024 · 3 minute read

Ahmad Jamal Obituary, Cause Of Death, Age, Family: Ahmad Jamal, formerly known as Frederick Russell Jones was an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator born on July 2, 1930.

He began playing piano at the age of three when his uncle Lawrence challenged him to duplicate what he was doing on the piano.

At the age of seven, Jamal began formal piano training with Mary Cardwell Dawson, whom he describes as greatly influencing him.

He also studied with pianist James Miller and began playing piano professionally at the age of fourteen.

Jamal formed his own trio in 1951, which served as the house band for Chicago’s Pershing Hotel lounge.

The popular Black-owned venue became the backdrop for his 1958 hit album, Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me.

Following the success of the record, he opened his own Chicago club called the Alhambra, where he recorded several albums until it closed in 1961.

Ahmad Jamal was a lifelong friend of jazz icon Miles Davis and influenced a generation of musicians.

He was known for a sparse playing style often placing silence between notes and critics hailed his “less is more dynamics”.

For six decades, Jamal was one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. Even in later decades, his influence was evident, with his piano riffs sampled by hip-hop artists including Nas and De La Soul.

He won countless awards over his career, including France’s Ordre des Arts and des Lettres in 2007, and was a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master.

Ahmed Jamal also won a Lifetime Achievement Grammy (2017) for his contributions to music history.

Sadly, the American jazz pianist has died. He passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at his home in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts at the age of 92. Ahmad Jamal’s cause of death was complications from prostate cancer.

Ahmad Jamal Cause Of Death

The American jazz pianist died on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at his home in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts at the age of 92. Ahmad Jamal’s cause of death was complications from prostate cancer.

Ahmad Jamal Obituary

Ahmad Jamal was born to Baptist parents but later converted to Islam and changed his name from Frederick Russell Jones to Ahmad Jamal in 1950. As a Muslim, his funeral will be held as soon as possible.

Ahmad Jamal Age

Ahmad Jamal was born on July 2, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. He celebrated his 92nd birthday in July last year (2022) before he died in April this year (2022).

Ahmad Jamal Parents

Ahmad Jamal was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States to Robert Smith Jones (father) and Lottie Jones (mother).

Ahmad Jamal Wife

We are not sure of the number of times he has been married. Reports say his first marriage ended in divorce in 1962 and he was hospitalized in 1963 after an apparent overdose.

Ahmad Jamal is survived by his third ex-wife and manager, Laura Hess-Hay. The love birds got married in 1982 but it’s not clear when they separated.

Ahmad Jamal Children

We can’t emphatically state the number of children Ahmad Jamal had. His first daughter, Mumeenah Counts died in 1979. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Sumayah Jamal. He also has two grandchildren.

Ahmad Jamal Siblings

Ahmad Jamal never shared any information regarding his siblings hence we can’t state whether or not he’s the only child of his parents; Robert Smith Jones (father) and Lottie Jones (mother). There are no records about that.

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