Khan Jamal
Khan Jamal, recipient of numerous awards including the Downbeat
International Critics award for vibraphone, studied with Bill Lewis early
in his career. He went on to develop his own identity and concepts, and
is considered one of the key new jazz stylists. Khan is always searching
for new ideas. In her book "As Serious As your Life'', Valerie Wilmer
writes: "Khan Jamal took percussion matters even further, often abandoning
the instruments's prettier characteristics to concentrate on the essentially
rhythmic qualities of the instrument...". Noted author Sam Charters,
in liner notes on Jamal's Speakeasy CD on Gazell records, states that he
plays up and down the vibes with waves of notes that suggested John Coltrane's
"Sheets of sound." Khan Jamal is a master of the vibraphone.
Some musicians he has performed with: Archie Shepp, Philly Joe Jones,
John Lewis, Mal Waldron, Grachan Moncur 3rd, Henry Threadgill, David Murray,
Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Grover Washington Jr., Ed. Blackwell, Sunny Murray,
Johnny Dyanni, Pierre Dorge, Butch Morris, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Ted Curson,
Odean Pope, Leon Thomas, Sun Ra, Dave Burrell, William Parker, Charles Tyler,
and many others.
Some Notes from Khan:
Khan Jamal solo Vibraphone - Marimba
Khan Jamal Trio
Starting in fall of '96, I will be performing solo concerts for Vibraphone
and Marimba. The performances will be original compositions and works of
other composers: Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, David Murray and others.
Back in the 70's and 80's I did many solo vibes concerts in Europe and the
USA which was quite a challenge and on a good day, I had some very innovative
performances. I found that playing solo allowed me freedoms to explore new
rhythmic, harmonic and melodic tone colors. The vibes/marimba are keyboard
percussion instruments whose ancestral ties are to the African balaphone,
and the piano. I think of them as melodic rhythm drums with a harmonic keyboard.
I ask that you consider having me perform solo in your upcoming concert
season. I will be glad to send you any other information you request: tapes,
bios, etc.
Khan Jamal Trio:
Khan Jamal- Vibraphone, Warren Oree - Bass, Dwight James - Drums
This ensemble has been performing together for the past 25 years. From Philadelphia,
this group plays with the strong spirit and passion that was forged many
years ago by John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Philly Joe Jones, Reggie Workman
and many of the great musicians that came out of Philly.
Contact bookings:
KHAN JAMAL
P.O. Box 18902 Philadelphia Pa. 19119
tel. +1-215-848.7217
fax +1-215-848-7657
E-mail: KhanJamal1@aol.com
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