Emerald City Nights: Live At The Penthouse 1966-68

Album review

Live at the Penthouse 1966 - 1968 is the third and final volume of Emerald City Nights, a collection of previously unreleased recordings by the legendary pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal. On this album, he is joined by the attuned rhythm section of bassist Jamil Nasser and drummer Frank Gant for performances that took place at the important but relatively short-lived Seattle jazz club.

Jamal, who passed away in April 2023 at the age of 92, famously influenced Miles Davis and many pianists, including McCoy Tyner. Listening to this collection of standards is a reminder of why he was such an inspiration: his thoughtful, engaged interpretations consistently brought insight to whatever he played.

The opening pair of tracks offer pleasing contrast and a sense of Jamal's expansive approach. "Gloria," written by Leon René in the 1940s, was recorded many times, often in a doo wop style. Here, Jamal finds a variety of angles into the song, but rather than coming off as restless or diffuse, his multifaceted version bristles with riveting energy.

The jazz and classical violinist Joe Kennedy, Jr., who grew up with Jamal in Pittsburgh, wrote "Fantastic Vehicle," a more modern piece with a jagged theme. (It also appears on Jamal's 1966 release Heat Wave.) Nasser lays down a propulsive groove as Gant pushes with just the right amount of force. At times, the tense, rhythmic drive and modal figures show the influence of the John Coltrane quartet. Jamal unspools length-of-the-keyboard runs, jabs out assertive block chords, and plays tinkling, high-register melodies that cut through the group sound. It's an exciting performance full of twists and turns.

The closer, a rendering of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's title song from the 1966 film Alfie, is striking. The rhythm section moves at a slow tempo, but the pianist often spins out the melody at high velocity. Later, a burst of dense chords is followed by a quiet passage where Jamal tickles the tune one last time. Yet again, Jamal's artful meditations shine new light on a familiar piece. © Fred Cisterna/Qobuz