Vernel Fournier

Vernel Anthony Fournier (July 30, 1928 – November 4, 2000),[1] known from 1975 as Amir Rushdan, was an American jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Ahmad Jamal from 1956 to 1962.

After Kolax downsized to a quintet, Fournier moved to Chicago in 1948,[2] where he played with such musicians as Buster Bennett, Paul Bascomb and Teddy Wilson.

As house drummer at the Bee Hive club on Chicago's South Side in 1953–55, he accompanied many visiting soloists, including Lester Young, Ben Webster, Sonny Stitt, J.J. Johnson, Earl Washington and Stan Getz.

He joined Ahmad Jamal's trio in 1957, along with bass player Israel Crosby, and remained with the group until 1962, appearing on a series of recordings for the Chess label.

Fournier was first=also a teacher of drumming, working at Barry Harris's Jazz Cultural Theater, the New School, and the Mannes College of Music.