Jazz Articles about James Cammack

About James Cammack

Album Review

There is a risk in creating art that reflects in essence, one's own personal journey. What that journey reveals within the context of one life may not carry the same value to a collective audience. In the case of Chicago based composer/pianist Ryan Cohan, his explorative delve into his own bi-cultural roots as presented on his new release, Originations (Origin, 2020), would not resonate with listeners if the music itself was not thrilling. Music provides unity like no other communicative ...

Interview

James Cammack: Where You At?

by Ian Patterson
October 9, 2012

Oftentimes, it's only the passing of time that can offer true perspective. In years to come, bassist James Cammack may look back on 2012 as the year when--after over 30 years in the business--he truly began his musical adventure in earnest. After 29 years playing bass in the ensembles of piano legend Ahmad Jamal, Cammack was, much to his surprise, let go. The signs had been on the cards for awhile, when Jamal had started using bassist Reginald Veal the ...

Album Review

James Cammack: Both Sides Of The Coin: Part 1

Read "Both Sides Of The Coin: Part 1" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
October 9, 2012

Though James Cammack began on electric bass in the mid-1970s, he's best known as the double-bassist for legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal, a role that kept him on his toes for a remarkable 29 years. Cammack has graced many of Jamal's best latter-day recordings, but it's really live, locking horns in an improvisational cauldron with Jamal and drummers of the caliber of Idris Muhammad and Herlin Riley, that Cammack's own talent as an improviser and accompanist are best seen. Cammack reverts ...