The musical world misses hard bopping pianist Harold Mabern, like others of his generation like John Hicks, Cedar Walton and Tommy Flanagan, Mabern could swing and bop any style with lyricism and class, with his comfort food being hard bop and easy on the ears modal.
Mabern gives a tribute to John Coltrane, focusing on the vintage years of his Fantasy-Blue Note-early Impulse! years with the capable hands of Vincent Herring/as, Eric Alexander/ts, Steve Davis/tb, John Webber/b and Joe Farnsworth/dr at a Jan 2018 gig at NYC’s Smoke jazz venue.
Mabern’s wide hands dig into the chords for Davis’ assertive blowing on “Dahomey Dance” leading into the trombonist’s intro to the famous clarion of “Blue Train” before Alexander sears through with his Selmer. Mabern is classy and glassy on a “Dear Lord” that slowly builds up in passion while the team is off to the races with Webber leading the chase on “Impressions”. Mabern glistens and captures the spirit of McCoy Tyner on a glorious “My Favorite Things” and then shuffles up the deck for an uptemp read of “Naima” with Herring in the spotlight. Everyone stretches out on the snappy “Straight Street”, making you wonder why the pre-“Giant Steps” period of Coltrane isn’t more appreciated. This whole album, and Mabern’s touch, deserves accolades as well. Eternal joys.