Donald Lambert, 1904-1962

Donald Lambert was born in Princeton and was a popular African American jazz musician and composer who played the piano for many years in Newark nightclubs. He was a fine left-handed pianist in stride style. Donald Lambert was not ambitious, disliked New York, preferring neighbourhood bars in New Jersey where he could play as and what he pleased. Eubie Blake described him as one of the greatest and even Art Tatum was alleged to be unwilling to follow him.

Many jazz musicians had nicknames, and Donald Lambert was at times called "Muffin," "The Lamb" and "The Jersey Rocket." The story goes that at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival's Piano Workshop, Lambert beat both Eubie Blake and Willie Smith in a cutting contest, a form of musical competition among stride pianoplayers. Then, if that weren't enough, he challenged Art Tatum to step into the ring. And all of this without being able to read a note of music.

Donal Lambert recorded late in life, and his recordings are still available. Listen to his version of the Rogers & Hammerstien standard "People Will Say We're In Love," recorded in 1961 and used here with permission from Jazzology Records, who publish and maintain a catalog of historic jazz artists.

Fellow musicians were responsible for his monument which displays the musical theme which he composed and by which he was widely known by his many enthusiastic fans.