Jamil Nasser

Biography

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Nasser learned piano from his mother as a child and started playing bass at age 16. As a student at Arkansas State University, he led the school band, and played bass and tuba in bands while stationed in Korea as a member of the U.S. Army. Following his discharge he played with B.B. King in 1955 and 1956.

He moved to New York City in 1956, and played with Phineas Newborn and Sonny Rollins before the decade was over. He went on tour in Europe and North Africa with Idrees Sulieman in 1959, then went to Paris and recorded with Lester Young. Nasser moved to Italy briefly from 1961 to 1962; after returning to New York he formed his own trio, playing with the ensemble until 1964. Following this he began work with Ahmad Jamal; the two played together until 1972. He played with Al Haig through the rest of the decade.

In the 1980s and 1990s, he did many sessions with musicians including George Coleman, Clifford Jordan, Jimmy Raney, Harold Mabern Gene Ammons and Hideaki Yoshioka. Nasser never recorded as a leader.

His son Zaid Nasser is a prominent NYC-based alto saxophonist.

As sideman

With Gene Ammons

With Evans Bradshaw

With George Coleman

With Randy Weston

With Ahmad Jamal

With Herbie Mann, Charlie Rouse, Kenny Burrell and Mal Waldron

With Al Haig

With Phineas Newborn, Jr.

With Lou Donaldson

With Red Garland

With others