Saturday night June 11, The amped up audiences from the two sets were fully engaged and electrified by Pharoah Sanders with the Harold Mabern Trio. A rare Southern California appearance by Harold Mabern, the bluesy,swinging pianist most known from his Blue Note hey-days of Lee Morgan and the like.
Over the last 15 plus years, he’s been leading his own series of jazz groups out of New York while being long time sideman with saxophonist Eric Alexander. Both have healthy discography to show for it. The powerful and unique combination of Pharoah Sanders with Harold Mabern was a concept to offer two great legends for the price of one . Apparently, the idea was quite successful as the audiences over the three day stint were quite full. Each veteran got their opportunities to delve into the Tune Books for rock solid gems like Pharoah’s,The Creator Has a Masterplan or Rakin’ and Scrapin’ by Mabern, along with a great rendition of My Favorite Things ,paying homage to the great John Coltrane which Pharoah began his career with over 50 years ago. posted by Robert J. Carmack #blues2jazzguy
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