Piano legend Harold Mabern dies aged 83
Tributes from pianists around the world have been shared on social media
The jazz world is paying tribute to the great US pianist and composer Harold Mabern who passed away overnight at the age of 83. Born in Memphis, Mabern originally started playing the drums until his father could save up enough money to buy a piano. He moved to New York in 1959 where he was soon inducted into the jazz world by Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Lionel Hampton (with whom he toured extensively).
Jason Moran, the pianist and director for Jazz at the Kennedy Center in Washington tweeted “Harold Mabern was all fire, and as a soul, all warmth. He gave generations of musicians effusive love and support. Always there to listen, to share, and provoke.” While organist Joey DeFrancesco added “His music and legacy will live on forever”.
Enjoy an hour in the company of Harold when he visited Google's New York office to discuss and perform songs from Afro Blue, his second release on Smoke Sessions Records.