Jazz producer and executive Zev Feldman has launched a new record label called Jazz Detective, and its first releases will be two previously unissued live recordings of Ahmad Jamal.
Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse (1963-64) and (1965-66) each feature performances by the iconic pianist that were recorded at the intimate Seattle club The Penthouse by local radio host and live broadcast engineer Jim Wilke.
“It’s an enormous thrill for me to be working with Mr. Jamal, whom I’ve been listening to my entire life,” Feldman said in a statement. “He’s a true original and beyond category. I couldn’t be more proud of this new endeavour and these releases.”
The records will be released as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday event on Dec. 2.
The new label will be an imprint of Deep Digs Music Group, a partnership with Spain’s Elemental Music, with which Feldman has had a long professional relationship.
On the Emerald City Nights recordings, Jamal is captured with a trio featuring bassists Richard Evans and Jamil Nasser and drummer Chuck Lampkin on the 1963-64 shows, and featuring Nasser and drummers Lampkin, Vernel Fournier, and Frank Gant on the 1965-66 dates.