Phineas Newborn Piano Tribute

Getting three great pianists like Harold Mabern, James Williams and Geoffrey Keezer on stage together is rare enough. Back them with a powerhouse veteran section like bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Jimmy Cobb and you're looking at something really special. Make the occasion a tribute to Phineas Newborn, a brilliant and original, if under-appreciated, jazz pianist, and you have the makings of a truly memorable session of heavenly music-making. Newborn (1931-1989), whose technique earned him comparisons to Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum, gained notice in 1960's New York. While he mostly slipped from the spotlight afterward, he continued to exert an inspirational impact on pianists in his native Memphis. Shortly after Newborn's passing, Mabern, Williams, and Keezer, along with Mulgrew Miller, recorded Four Pianos for Phineas in tribute to their friend, performing together at the 1991 Monterey Jazz Festival. A follow-up, Key Players, was released in 1993. Mabern, Williams and Keezer together represent three generations of piano jazz greatness. Mabern, 68, has played with masters like Sonny Rollins and Wes Montgomery. Williams, 53, played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers from 1977-81 and. Geoff Keezer, 33, is one of jazz piano's most exciting rising young players. That's an overflow of jazz virtuosity.