Category: 2010 Artist Profile

Pianist Ahmad Jamal will be performing at the 2010 festival on Saturday June 26th – six days before his 80^th birthday!

Ahmad’s wikipedia entry calls him “an acclaimed virtuoso jazz pianist and keyboardist, composer, and innovative trio leader” and “one of Miles Davis’s favorite pianists.”

His Official Site includes a discography and list of tour dates.

In the past five years, Ahmad has released several albums, including:

• 2010’s A Quiet Time with James Cammack on bass, Kenny Washington on drums, and Manolo Badrena on precussion.
• 2008’s It’s Magic with James Cammack on bass, Idris Muhammad on drums, and Manolo Badrena on percussion.
• 2005’s After Fajr with James Cammack on bass and Idris Muhammad on drums.

Rachel Z, also known as Rachel Carmel Nicolazzo, has been playing the piano since the age of seven. Since then she’s played with giants of the 20^th century jazz scene including Wayne Shorter, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. In 2010 she will open the festival main stage on Sunday (June 27) with Omar Hakim on drums! Later in the day she will appear on the gazebo stage.

Her recent project, titled Dept. of Good and Evil, features drummer and husband Bobby Rae and bassist Maeve Royce. According to Rachel’s Wikipedia article the trio’s “ideas for transforming modern pop songs into jazz masterpieces … have thrust this group into the forefront of modern jazz.” Their self-titled 2007 release can be purchased from Amazon as a CD.

Additionally, her 2005 solo release, Grace can be purchased from Amazon as a CD.

Her Official Site includes a biography and discography.

Taj Mahal will be performing at the 2010 festival on Saturday June 26th. This is Taj’s first performance ever at the Saratoga Jazz Festival!

Taj’s wikipedia entry calls him “an internationally recognized blues musician” and notes that he has won two Grammy Awards!

His Official Site includes a biography, discography, and list of tour dates.

His 2009 Release Maestro featuring guest appearances by Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley’s Band, Los Lobos, and others can be purchased as a CD or MP3 download.