Harold Mabern: Afro Blue (10th Anniversary Edition)

Pianist Harold Mabern (1936-2019) was talented beyond measure. Though he never received the honor and distinction of the prestigious NEA Jazz Master designation, his music and the musicians who knew him tell a different story. That story unfolds beautifully throughout the 10th anniversary reissue of Mabern's 2015 recording, Afro Blue (Smoke Session Records). The newly remixed and remastered recording features performances from some of the most celebrated names in vocal jazz, including Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, and Alexis Cole. The recording also features contributions from an all-star band, including longtime bandmates Joe Farnsworth (drums), Eric Alexander (sax), and John Webber (bass), alongside Steve Turre (trombone), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), and Peter Bernstein (guitar). The resulting album is a cohesive and deeply personal statement that affirms Mabern's stature as a true master, title or not.

There are several standout songs on the recording. On the album's title track, "Afro Blue," Mabern's propulsive piano offers the perfect accompaniment to Gregory Porter's full-bodied vocals. The up-tempo reimagining of Mongo Santamaria's classic tune showcases Mabern's virtuosity. What he created on the piano, his playing, was unrestrained, vibrant, and rhythmic. He is well aware of how gifted a pianist he is—there is joy in his performance. Gregory Porter's ability to breathe new life into any song he sings elevates the track, his voice meeting Mabern's energy with equal conviction and warmth. What the two create on the track is something magical. Neither musician overshadows the other; the piano and voice grow and move together as one. That magic was made all the more special thanks to the stellar work from Alexander and Farnsworth on sax and drums, respectively.

On "Don't Misunderstand," Mabern and Norah Jones come together to form a striking duo. It is always such a delight to hear Jones sing. From the very first note, her voice sounds like a smile, and Mabern's unpretentious accompaniment walks through the song with her quietly but ever-present. Their dynamic feels conversational in the best way.

Kurt Elling delivers a stunning performances on the Charlie Parker tune "Billie's Bounce" and on the Randy Goodrum tune titled "You Needed Me." The opening bass line provided by Webber on "Billie's Bounce" offers a lively intro that is eventually met by Mabern's bouncy piano, Elling's playful scatting, and Jeremy Pelt's slight but steady swing on trumpet. The song would have successfully stood on its own without Elling's scatting, but it adds a playful element that brings a fresh energy. It works. "You Needed Me," however, excels because of what Elling brings to the music. Although he asserts in the song's lyrics all of what the protagonist brought to him (the opening lyrics were "I cried a tear/you wiped it dry, I was confused/you cleared my mind"), there is a longing and aching in Elling's voice that teeters between a Southern gospel song, thanks to Mabern's spirited piano, and an old-school ballad that comes straight from Elling's soul. It is arguably the best vocal performance on the album, and Mabern and the band allow Elling's voice to move freely between tenderness and resolution without ever losing its emotional center.      

Several tracks on the album forego vocalists altogether, instead showcasing Mabern's stellar ensemble. The band's cohesion is especially evident on the album's opener, "The Chief," which Mabern composed as a tribute to the late John Coltrane, and on "Mozzin,'" written by drummer Joe Farnsworth's brother, John. One of the most striking qualities of the ensemble is its cohesion in service of Mabern's vision. Where Mabern leads, the rest of the band follows, and it is refreshing to hear. They are all there to bring his vision to life; there are no egos, just connectedness. That is the sign of a good leader.     

Taken as a whole, Afro Blue reveals Harold Mabern as an artist whose mastery lies as much in his restraint as it does in his skillful command of the music and his understanding of when to lead, when to listen, and how to serve the music. Whether he is anchoring vocal performances or leading his band through the instrumental tracks on the album, Mabern is a musician's musician who shapes the music with balance and purpose. Remastering this work as a 10th-anniversary tribute to Mabern offers a perfect opportunity for those unfamiliar with the 2015 release to listen and enjoy. Releasing the album on what would have been Mabern's 90th birthday gives his family, friends, band mates, and fans alike one more opportunity to celebrate his gift and his life.  The album stands as a lasting testament to a musician whose work speaks with the clarity and confidence of a musician who embodied the artform with joy and grace. May his legacy live on.

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