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James Cammack

In a feature article on James Cammack, Bass Player Magazine reviewer Richard Johnston nicknamed James, who was at the time a Chicago resident, “Chicago fire,” for his hard-driving, creative approach to playing both acoustic and electric bass. At rehearsals of even the most complicated jazz pieces, Cammack just puts a finger on his instrument to find the key, asks for the general feel, and takes off. An extremely sensitive player, Cammack is an excellent sideman and his own solos demonstrate both virtuosity and musicality.

It’s no wonder. For the past 28 years, James Cammack has performed continuously with legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal. Cammack has visited more than 30 countries backing Jamal and has also toured with singer Nancy Wilson, tubist Howard Johnson, and singer Vanessa Rubin. He has performed in some of the world’s most famous jazz clubs such as the Village Vanguard in New York City and Yoshi’s in San Francisco; and major jazz festivals, including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Italy’s Umbria Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.

Cammack has several recordings with Ahmad Jamal under his belt, including Rossiter Road (Atlantic), which reached the number-five position on the jazz chart billboard and the last release is It’s Magic(Dreyfus). There is also a new dvd just released, Ahmad Jamal Live In Baalbeck. He has also recorded with pianist Chris Neville, Russian actress Natalia Nazorova, tubist Howard Johnson, and Senegal super star, to name a few.

A piano and trumpet student in his early years, Cammack is largely self-taught. He became interested in playing the bass through an uncle who was also a professional musician. Later, by the recommendation of a high school teacher, Cammack was accepted into the West Point jazz band following an audition. During his stint in the military, Cammack had ample opportunity to play weddings, shows, and jazz gigs in the New York area and learned his trade. A great music associate, pianist and mentor, the late Frank Richmond, mentioned Cammack’s name to Ahmad Jamal, who snapped him up right after West Point.

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15
Album Review

Ryan Cohan: Originations

Read "Originations" reviewed by Paul Rauch


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 ...

12
Interview

James Cammack: Where You At?

Read "James Cammack: Where You At?" reviewed by Ian Patterson


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 ...

4
Album Review

James Cammack: Both Sides Of The Coin: Part 1

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


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 ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Originations

Origin Records
2020

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Both Sides Of The...

Self Produced
2012

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Imaginary Lines

From: Originations
By James Cammack

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