Last year, the French government has inducted Ahmad Jamal, for his exceptional accomplishments in "American Classical Music," into its prestigious Order of the Arts and Letters, naming himOfficier de L'Ordre Des Arts et Des Lettres(Officer, Order of Arts and Letters).  The Order of Arts and Letters, established in 1957 to recognize distinguished artists and writers and others who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts in France and around the world, is one of four French ministerial orders and the highest distinction for artistic or literary contributions.  In being nominated to the rank of Officer, Mr. Jamal joins some of the most important American artists and writers including Ornette Coleman, Ralph Waldo Ellison, William Faulkner, Ella Fitzgerald, Allen Ginsberg, Richard Meier, Toni Morrison, Jackson Pollock, Patti Smith, Susan Sontag, and Charles Wadsworth.Ahmad Jamal is not just a living legend of jazz; he is one of the most inspired and inspiring artists in music today.  An important and influential figure in jazz history (he was a key influence onMiles Davisin his formative years, and countless others), he introduced the concepts ofspace,silenceand dramatic dynamics into jazz performance.  He continues to influence diverse generation of artists from Herbie Hancock, Hiromi to Matthew Shipp.Mr. Ahmad Jamal, a National Endowment for the Arts American Jazz Masters Fellowship recipient, is an exclusive Steinway piano artist.