Tunes on Tuesday: Cheek To Cheek

Why this tune?

This week’s tune was inspired by the life and music of Ahmad Jamal, the brilliant pianist
and composer who passed on April 16, 2023. He recorded “Cheek To Cheek” several times
in 1958 with bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier. This is the trio that recorded “Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not For Me,” his 1958 album that spent over 100 weeks on the Billboard hit album charts.

His carefully architected arrangements are a showcase for his mastery of touch, time,
and space. Vijay Iyer notes that “His sense of time is that of a dancer, or a comedian.” I definitely feel the movement and the fun in his recordings. Some of his arrangements are effectively new compositions, like his treatment of “Woody ‘n’ You” on the Pershing album.

I’m trying to capture at least a hint of Jamal’s style and feel on my track.

Tunes On Tuesday Reel

Check it out

Full piano track