LP-628

Ramsey Lewis And His Gentle-men Of Jazz - Volume 2

Released 1958

Recording and Session Information

"Pershing Lounge", Chicago, January 16 1958
Ahmad Jamal, piano; Israel Croby, bass; Vernell Fournier, drums

8673 But Not For Me
8674 Music, Music, Music
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
Moonlight in Vermont
There Is No Greater Love
Woody'n You
What's New ?
Poinciana

But Not For Me	Gershwin / Gershwin	January 16 1958
Surrey With The Fringe On Top	Rodgers / Hammerstein	January 16 1958
Moonlight In Vermont	Blackburn / Suessdorf	January 16 1958
Music, Music, Music	Baum / Weiss	January 16 1958
No Greater Love	Jones / Symes	January 16 1958
Poinciana	Bernier / Simon	January 16 1958
Wood'yn You	Gillespie	January 16 1958
What's New	Haggart / Burke	January 16 1958

Liner Notes

The artistry, talent and creative abilities of Ahmad Jamal have been thrilled to and broadly proclaimed by musician and music lover alike. Upon hearing this album be prepared to join the ranks of those who both thoroughly enjoy and sing the praises of "Young Ahmad, the terrible" for this was recorded under the most favorable of conditions and Jamal's fountain of creative splendor is in full flow.

Miller Brown, the owner of the Pershing Lounge (of Chicago's Pershing Hotel) and Ahmad Jamal have a rare and wonderful thing going, these two men respect and regard one another, very highly. So it is no wonder then that Jamal has at the Pershing a suitable atmosphere, and climate in which to swing freely. As truly he does. Away from the inhibiting pressure of the recording studio and with the stimulating warmth of live audience, to work before, plus relaxed familiar surroundings, Jamal has been allowed to give you — the listener, benefit of his amazing skills and marvelous conception in a variety of moods, shades and tones.

Contained herein is portrait of a sincere, industrious young man, wise and mature for his years. A man dedicated to meeting the many challenges of life. Take it out - LISTEN - and BEHOLD AHMAD JAMAL, a truly great talent.

Sid McCoy
Radio Station, WGES, Choicago, Illinois

Having worked at the Pershing Lounge at various times for the past 6 years, the idea developed (during a conversation between Leonard Chess — head of Chess Record Corporation, Sid McCoy — eminent radio personality, and myself) to record our next there at the Pershing Lounge. This present group of selections is the results. The tapes were made on January 16, 1958 and each set that night was recorded. I have chosen 8 tracks out of 43 and sincerely hope that our listeners will derive some degree of enjoyment from them.

Two of the tunes are former recordings of ours we did some years ago. *Surrey With the Fringe on Top' - 1952; "But Not For Me" - 1954. They are a permanent part of our repertoire are frequently requested by our audiences. I make mention here of the fact that of the tunes in our repertoire, "But Not Me" for is asked more than any other selection. I am happy to say that for all who enjoyed our former recording, but could not obtain it — here it is in our present LP.

Working with me are two of the finest musicians I have ever known — musically or otherwise — Israel Crosby, our bassist and Vernell Fournier, our drummer. I have had many treasurable moments working with both of these well known musicians, and am looking forward to all of our future peformances together.

Ahmad Jamal