Donald Lambert

Donald "The Lamb" Lambert (February 12, 1904 – May 8, 1962) was an American jazz stride pianist born in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, perhaps best known for playing in Harlem night clubs throughout the 1920s. Lambert was taught piano by his mother but never learned to read music. With his particularly rapid left hand striding technique, he was a formidable opponent in cutting contests. On one occasion, Lambert challenged Art Tatum at a jazz concert where other famous players were present.

Lambert's discography is sparse: the only commercial recordings under his name were four titles made for RCA's Bluebird label in 1941, in which he interpreted classical themes: Richard Wagner's Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhäuser, "Anitra's Dance" by Edvard Grieg, Gaetano Donizetti's Sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor, and Jules Massenet's Élégie. However, several compilations were released in the 1980s containing live recordings dating from 1959–62. Lambert appeared at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, alongside Eubie Blake and Willie "The Lion" Smith and was said to have outplayed both of them.

His nicknames included the "Jersey Rocket", "The Lamb", "Muffin", and "The Lamb of God".

Birth and Death Data: Born February 12, 1904 (Princeton), Died May 8, 1962 (Newark)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, arranger

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-060603 10-in. 1/30/1941 Pilgrim's chorus Donald Lambert Piano solo arranger, instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-060604 10-in. 1/30/1941 Anitra's Dance Donald Lambert Piano solo arranger, instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-060605 10-in. 1/30/1941 Elegie Donald Lambert Piano solo arranger, instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-060606 10-in. 1/30/1941 Sextette Donald Lambert Piano solo arranger, instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lambert, Donald," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/326322.

Lambert, Donald. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/326322.

"Lambert, Donald." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/326322

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