Jamil Nasser, born George Joyner (June 21, 1932 – February 13, 2010)[1] was an American jazz musician. He played double bass, electric bass, and tuba.
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. He moved to Italy briefly from 1961-62; 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 such as Clifford Jordan, Jimmy Raney, Harold Mabern, Gene Ammons and Hideaki Yoshioka. Nasser never recorded as a leader.
With Randy Weston
With Ahmad Jamal
With Al Haig
With Phineas Newborn
With Lou Donaldson
With Red Garland
With others