![Available Now: Remixed, Remastered Edition Of Harold Mabern's "Afro Blue" Recording (smoke Sessions Records)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/a_large/17440d69c2908749b69946b39812475f.jpg "Available Now: Remixed, Remastered Edition Of Harold Mabern's "Afro Blue" Recording (smoke Sessions Records)")
4 stars - a cohesive and deeply personal statement that affirms Mabern's stature as a true master.
—All About Jazz
Smoke Sessions Records honors legendary pianist Harold Mabern with a remixed, remastered 10th anniversary edition of his all-star album Afro Blue
Released on Mabern’s 90th birthday, March 20, 2026, Afro Blue features a stunning roster of vocalists: Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit and Alexis Cole
A Tribute to Mabern | 90th Birthday Celebration Concert Series at Smoke Jazz Club in NYC, March 18-22, 2026
Smoke Session Records was honored to be the final label home for Harold Mabern, releasing the legendary pianist’s last four albums between 2014 and his passing in September 2019. On March 20, 2026, Smoke Sessions celebrates what would have been Mabern’s 90th birthday with a special 10th anniversary re-release of his all-star 2015 album Afro Blue, newly remixed and remastered and available digitally.
Mabern’s second release for Smoke Sessions, Afro Blue is a project unique in the pianist’s five-decade discography, and a recording very close to his heart. The date features five of modern jazz’s most acclaimed and revered vocalists as special guests with Mabern’s stellar ensemble.
Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling and Alexis Cole perform individually alongside Mabern's longstanding band with Eric Alexander on tenor sax, John Webber on bassand Joe Farnsworth on drums. The core band is joined by trombonist Steve Turre and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on several tracks, while eminent guitarist Peter Bernstein is featured on a rendition of the Steely Dan classic “Do It Again.”
“I love to play for singers," Mabern explained at the time of the album’s release. “I feel honored and flattered that these wonderful vocalists would want to be part of my little project. I feel good when singers say they love the way you play. That's a very special compliment."
Joe Farnsworth, who enjoyed a friendship and collaboration with Mabern that stretched over more than 30 years, echoes that sentiment. “Harold loved singers,” the drummer says. “He considered Afro Blue to be the most important record he ever made in his life. It really showcased what he loved to do best, which was being an accompanist.”
As proud as Mabern was of the original album, his family is certain that he would have been thrilled by the enhanced audio of this new edition. In a statement, Michael and Roxanne Mabern shared, “As the ultimate musician and music lover, our father would have been filled with joy hearing this version of the album. He said countless times that it meant more to him than any other project, and that he never worked harder on an album. The sonic clarity of this remix and remaster matches his clear vision for an epic ode to collaboration between his favorite musicians and amazing vocalists. Now you’ll get to hear each one of them shine like never before.”
Though he was most associated with his soulful, blues-rooted style and the ferocious power of his playing, Mabern had played with some of the greatest vocalists in the music’s history. In his early years he accompanied the likes of Betty Carter, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock and Sarah Vaughan, but rarely had the opportunity to work with singers as his career progressed. For those unfamiliar with his history, the staggering force of Mabern’s keyboard approach seemed incompatible with an accompanist’s sensitivity.
“There's a misconception because of the intensity and fortitude of Harold’s playing,” says Eric Alexander. “People who hadn't seen him play with vocalists were unaware of the fact that he was fundamentally, above anything else, an incredible accompanist. Joe Williams adored him;Carmen McRae and Eddie Jefferson adored him. Harold was adept at adapting to the musicians that he accompanied, and he was incredible with vocalists because he's so harmonically astute.”
“Mabes was so beautiful,” says Kurt Elling. “Such a lovely, kind man. The obvious power was there – those mighty, mighty hands of his were undeniable. But his playing was so sweet natured, full of so much joy. It seemed to me that he loved being in the studio, loving being with musicians, and was just in love with being alive.”
Afro Blue is bookended by instrumental pieces featuring the fire and swing that Mabern and his band were known for, both homages to jazz icons: the modal “The Chief,” dedicated to John Coltrane; and “Bobby, Benny, Jymie, Lee, and Bu,” a funky tip of the hat to that classic line-up of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. In addition to the aforementioned “Do It Again” with Bernstein, the album also includes a blistering trio run through “Mozzin’” by the drummer’s brother, John “Moz” Farnsworth. These tunes complement the vocal pieces, Farnsworth points out, by revealing another side of Mabern’s generous nature.
“It was never about him,” the drummer says. “It was always about these people that he loved. His heart was just overwhelmed with love and respect for the people that he grew up with and listened to, so even when he was playing one of his own tunes he was paying homage to these guys. Then by playing my brother’s tune, he was giving him the greatest nod of respect you can possibly give someone. He was just so unselfish.”
Gregory Porter is featured on the title tune, a bravado rendition of the Mongo Santamaria classic, as well as another Mabern dedication, “The Man From Hyde Park” – his homage to Herbie Hancock. Norah Jones then enters for a breezy “Fools Rush In” in dialogue with the trio of horns, followed by an enchanting duet with Mabern on Gordon Parks’ wistful “Don’t Misunderstand.” Jane Monheit is supported by a beaming backdrop for “I’ll Take Romance” and a more intimate, last-call setting on “My One and Only Love.” Alexis Cole offers a winsome read of Mabern’s original “Such Is Life” over buoyant rhythms.
Kurt Elling joins the band for three selections. His scatting prowess is on vibrant display, sparking with Alexander and Pelt on Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce,” while he and Mabern wring profound emotion from “Portrait of Jennie.” His third appearance was an unexpected one – Mabern was resigned to recording Randy Goodrum’s “You Needed Me,” best known as a number one hit for Ann Murray, as an instrumental, until he heard Elling start singing along as he was preparing to leave the studio.
“It was totally unexpected,” Elling laughs. “Mabes wanted to record this tune, but who would know it? Well, this guy from Rockford knew it.”
So inspired was Alexander by Elling and Mabern’s enthusiastic recording that he decided to overdub saxophone harmonies on the piece. “Harold was so excited that Kurt loved that tune,” the saxophonist recalls. “Harold knew a boatload of tunes, and he had a reservoir of uncommon songs for a jazz context. He would latch onto those tunes because he was very open-minded and he could separate the songs from the context in which they originally appeared. No one could figure out why he liked this Ann Murray tune so much, but it ended up being one of the most special moments on that recording.”
It’s a fitting birthday gift to the late Harold Mabern that Smoke Sessions is re-releasing the album that Farnsworth calls “his masterpiece,” showcasing the pianist doing what he loved best, surrounded by favorite singers and bandmates that were as close as family – now sounding better than ever.
Afro Blue was produced by Paul Stache and recorded at Sear Sound, Studio C on a Sear-Avalon Custom Console in New York City on August 21 and 29, 2014. The new remastered, remixed edition is available on audiophile HD formats.
Harold Mabern · Afro Blue
Smoke Sessions Records · Digital Release Date: March 20, 2026
Catalog Number: SSR-2507
Released on Mabern’s 90th birthday, March 20, 2026, Afro Blue features a stunning roster of vocalists: Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit and Alexis Cole
A Tribute to Mabern | 90th Birthday Celebration Concert Series at Smoke Jazz Club in NYC, March 18-22, 2026
Smoke Session Records was honored to be the final label home for Harold Mabern, releasing the legendary pianist’s last four albums between 2014 and his passing in September 2019. On March 20, 2026, Smoke Sessions celebrates what would have been Mabern’s 90th birthday with a special 10th anniversary re-release of his all-star 2015 album Afro Blue, newly remixed and remastered and available digitally.
Mabern’s second release for Smoke Sessions, Afro Blue is a project unique in the pianist’s five-decade discography, and a recording very close to his heart. The date features five of modern jazz’s most acclaimed and revered vocalists as special guests with Mabern’s stellar ensemble.
Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling and Alexis Cole perform individually alongside Mabern's longstanding band with Eric Alexander on tenor sax, John Webber on bassand Joe Farnsworth on drums. The core band is joined by trombonist Steve Turre and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on several tracks, while eminent guitarist Peter Bernstein is featured on a rendition of the Steely Dan classic “Do It Again.”
“I love to play for singers," Mabern explained at the time of the album’s release. “I feel honored and flattered that these wonderful vocalists would want to be part of my little project. I feel good when singers say they love the way you play. That's a very special compliment."
Joe Farnsworth, who enjoyed a friendship and collaboration with Mabern that stretched over more than 30 years, echoes that sentiment. “Harold loved singers,” the drummer says. “He considered Afro Blue to be the most important record he ever made in his life. It really showcased what he loved to do best, which was being an accompanist.”
As proud as Mabern was of the original album, his family is certain that he would have been thrilled by the enhanced audio of this new edition. In a statement, Michael and Roxanne Mabern shared, “As the ultimate musician and music lover, our father would have been filled with joy hearing this version of the album. He said countless times that it meant more to him than any other project, and that he never worked harder on an album. The sonic clarity of this remix and remaster matches his clear vision for an epic ode to collaboration between his favorite musicians and amazing vocalists. Now you’ll get to hear each one of them shine like never before.”
Though he was most associated with his soulful, blues-rooted style and the ferocious power of his playing, Mabern had played with some of the greatest vocalists in the music’s history. In his early years he accompanied the likes of Betty Carter, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock and Sarah Vaughan, but rarely had the opportunity to work with singers as his career progressed. For those unfamiliar with his history, the staggering force of Mabern’s keyboard approach seemed incompatible with an accompanist’s sensitivity.
“There's a misconception because of the intensity and fortitude of Harold’s playing,” says Eric Alexander. “People who hadn't seen him play with vocalists were unaware of the fact that he was fundamentally, above anything else, an incredible accompanist. Joe Williams adored him;Carmen McRae and Eddie Jefferson adored him. Harold was adept at adapting to the musicians that he accompanied, and he was incredible with vocalists because he's so harmonically astute.”
“Mabes was so beautiful,” says Kurt Elling. “Such a lovely, kind man. The obvious power was there – those mighty, mighty hands of his were undeniable. But his playing was so sweet natured, full of so much joy. It seemed to me that he loved being in the studio, loving being with musicians, and was just in love with being alive.”
Afro Blue is bookended by instrumental pieces featuring the fire and swing that Mabern and his band were known for, both homages to jazz icons: the modal “The Chief,” dedicated to John Coltrane; and “Bobby, Benny, Jymie, Lee, and Bu,” a funky tip of the hat to that classic line-up of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. In addition to the aforementioned “Do It Again” with Bernstein, the album also includes a blistering trio run through “Mozzin’” by the drummer’s brother, John “Moz” Farnsworth. These tunes complement the vocal pieces, Farnsworth points out, by revealing another side of Mabern’s generous nature.
“It was never about him,” the drummer says. “It was always about these people that he loved. His heart was just overwhelmed with love and respect for the people that he grew up with and listened to, so even when he was playing one of his own tunes he was paying homage to these guys. Then by playing my brother’s tune, he was giving him the greatest nod of respect you can possibly give someone. He was just so unselfish.”
Gregory Porter is featured on the title tune, a bravado rendition of the Mongo Santamaria classic, as well as another Mabern dedication, “The Man From Hyde Park” – his homage to Herbie Hancock. Norah Jones then enters for a breezy “Fools Rush In” in dialogue with the trio of horns, followed by an enchanting duet with Mabern on Gordon Parks’ wistful “Don’t Misunderstand.” Jane Monheit is supported by a beaming backdrop for “I’ll Take Romance” and a more intimate, last-call setting on “My One and Only Love.” Alexis Cole offers a winsome read of Mabern’s original “Such Is Life” over buoyant rhythms.
Kurt Elling joins the band for three selections. His scatting prowess is on vibrant display, sparking with Alexander and Pelt on Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce,” while he and Mabern wring profound emotion from “Portrait of Jennie.” His third appearance was an unexpected one – Mabern was resigned to recording Randy Goodrum’s “You Needed Me,” best known as a number one hit for Ann Murray, as an instrumental, until he heard Elling start singing along as he was preparing to leave the studio.
“It was totally unexpected,” Elling laughs. “Mabes wanted to record this tune, but who would know it? Well, this guy from Rockford knew it.”
So inspired was Alexander by Elling and Mabern’s enthusiastic recording that he decided to overdub saxophone harmonies on the piece. “Harold was so excited that Kurt loved that tune,” the saxophonist recalls. “Harold knew a boatload of tunes, and he had a reservoir of uncommon songs for a jazz context. He would latch onto those tunes because he was very open-minded and he could separate the songs from the context in which they originally appeared. No one could figure out why he liked this Ann Murray tune so much, but it ended up being one of the most special moments on that recording.”
It’s a fitting birthday gift to the late Harold Mabern that Smoke Sessions is re-releasing the album that Farnsworth calls “his masterpiece,” showcasing the pianist doing what he loved best, surrounded by favorite singers and bandmates that were as close as family – now sounding better than ever.
Afro Blue was produced by Paul Stache and recorded at Sear Sound, Studio C on a Sear-Avalon Custom Console in New York City on August 21 and 29, 2014. The new remastered, remixed edition is available on audiophile HD formats.
Harold Mabern · Afro Blue
Smoke Sessions Records · Digital Release Date: March 20, 2026
Catalog Number: SSR-2507
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