Living Legends Award
- The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington DC - March 3, 2007


France
- OFFICIER DE L'ORDRE DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES
Fait á Paris, Le 14 Mars 2007

Named Officer in French Order of Arts and Letters, March 14, 2007


Gold Medallion
- Steinway & Sons 150 Years Celebration (1853-2003), June 6, 2003

American Jazz Hall of Fame - New Jersey Jazz Society
- State University of NJ (Rutgers) Institute of Jazz Studies, Spring 2003

Proclamation of Raleigh (North Carolina)
- Mayor, Charles Meeker, November 23, 2002

Induction in to The Kelly-Strayhorn Gallery of Stars for Achievements as Pianist and Composer
- East Liberty Quarter Chamber of Commerce, November 11, 2001

Arts & Culture Recognition Award
- National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., February 24, 2001

CHOC De L'annee Jazzman Award
- For CD, "E The Essence, Part I," 1995

Certificate of Appreciation
- Westinghouse High School Alumni Association, June 19, 1994

Award, American Jazz Masters Fellowship
- National Endowment of the Arts, 1994

Duke Ellington Fellow Award
- Yale University, March 20, 1994

Letter of congratulations from President Bill Clinton
- on my receiving The American Jazz Master Fellowship Award, December 21, 1993

Certificate of Honorary Citizenship
- City of Memphis, November 19, 1993

Proclamation of the Council
- City of New York, November 8, 1991

Who's Who Among Black Americans
- 1988

Honorary Membership Philippines Jazz Foundation
- December 18, 1987

Tribute from BMI
- 50th Anniversary 1940-1990, Lincoln Theater, University of Hartford, March 28, 1987

Mellon Jazz Festival Salutes Ahmad Jamal
- Pittsburgh, PA 1986

Merit Award
- The Art Directors' Club 65th Annual Exhibition 1986 (Atlantic Records, "Digital Works")

Nomination for the Best R&B; Instrumental Performance
- ("You're Welcome," "Stop On By") NARAS, 1981

Key to the City of Providence (Rhode Island)
- Mayor, Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., 80's

Distinguished Service Award
- City of Washington D.C., Anacostia Neighborhood Museum, Smithsonian Institute, 1980

Award in Music, A Product of His People, Then, Now and Forever

Award, City of Houston
- Radio Station KCOH Jazz Month Committee, 1973

Award for The Fight Against Sickle Cell Anemia
- Dayton, OH, 60's

Who's Who In America
- 1960

Entertainment Award
- Pittsburgh Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1959