Obituary

So sorry for your loss Roxanne. Please let us know if you need anything. We are thinking of you.

Wonderful, nice, thoughtful person,who I allways injoyed playing with and talking to when we were not on the Bandstand.John Gillmore ,Horald and myself had so much fun all the time laughting at the local dope guys. I was glad we had a chance to connect after over 25 years when he came to Denver with his group. so much fun.Maney people(the ones that are left) George Coleman, Jack D and so maney others all over the country where he played will remember him as upstanding person,even if he had not been a musician with incrediable skills he would have been enjoyed as just a person,because of the way he was. Eugene O Bass drummer,From Chicago Now in Denver Co.

He was my mentor, my teacher. I like to think he was my friend of 33 years; I started studying with him in around 1988. He was one of the kindest, most generous human beings I have ever known. He was modest to a fault, always crediting others - especially Phineas Newborn - for his own accomplishments. He had the biggest hands of any pianist! His style was unmistakable. You had only to listen to a few bars and know it was Mabern. The last time I saw him was at Smoke. He was sitting in the back at the bar. I think it was at Smoke, anyway. Might have been at Small's but no difference really. I said, "You know so much about the history of this music, suppose perhaps I sit down with you and we can start to write it out?" He said that could happen. I had been listening to Phineas Newborn and Chris Anderson, having bought some CDs and I told him Phineas was truly the genius he, Harold, had always said he was. Harold said that yes, he certainly was. I also praised Anderson but I can't remember Harold's reply. I treasure his words. Many, many years ago I made a demo CD and got a phone call: "Is this the young lady who sounds like Tommy Flanagan?" I am grieving daily for him; I will never know his like again. I shall miss him for the rest of my life. I truly loved him and still do.

I saw you at the Jazz Foundation of America Jam Session many times. I learned how to play better piano behind vocalists by watching you at the Union in the club room. I hope you are up there with Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Walter Perkins, and rest in peace. God Bless.

Stuart H. Tresser. CEO
Jazzbone Records
90 East 46th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11203-1815
http://www.jazzbonerecords.com Website

The Young Men from Memphis, a generation of musicians who added so much to Jazz from the 1950s forward are now either aged or no longer with us. Sadly, the number still on the scene has been diminished by one and the bell tolls for all and for art: HAROLD MABERN has died at the age of 83 on September 17th (born March 20, 1936).
Within The Young Men from Memphis, Harold Mabern came to be known as the crews' historian; but for all, Harold was an ever swinging presence on piano blessed with virtuosity and harmonic depth. "Mabs" was one of those precious players who, in a battle of music, could flip victory or defeat from one aggregation to another simply by changing bandstands.
I was with Harold Mabern frequently at The West End where he gigged with the likes of Eddie Durham, Russell Procope, Franc Willaims, and, on occasion, with the Swing To Bop Quintet. While he he had his own perspective on Jazz, when accompanying, Harold Mabern treated all as equals.
I also recall that by 1974, Harold Mabern joined the listening parties of the Brooklyn BeBoppers, gatherings that I had played DJ for since my teens and was now also administering when gatherings were held at or near The West End as opposed to Brooklyn.
Hearing Harold Mabern analyze Charlie Parker was taking a lesson in Arts Appreciation and Harold, himself, came to appreciate the Brooklyn BeBoppers insistence on declaring one take superior when there were multiples.
As to multiples: there will never be another HAROLD MABERN. Rest In Peace.

Harold,
Thank you so much for the many times you came to play, sing, and testify at events at the Shrine of the Masters Jazz Gallery/Lee Morgan Legacy Exhibit. You were just here last year (2018) for the Lee Morgan 80th Birthday Celebration, thrilling all in attendance with your beautiful music.
You will be sorely missed.
But. I am confident that you are now with loved ones who preceded you; and that you are having a ball with departed colleagues, making much more heavenly music.
Lena Sherrod, Director
SOM Jazz Gallery/Lee Morgan Legacy Exhibit

Harold,

You were a welcoming gentlemen as you allowed me to film you at the Monday Jam Sessions. Every time you came we knew something spectacular and unforgettable was about to take place and it sure did. You shared a special piece of you with us, with every note that you played and today every piece lives on in each one us and thus your message is in good hands. Thank you for making a difference.

Anthony Weeks
Jazz Corner

Harold was so supportive and encouraging to me about my piano playing. Sam Baum

Harold Mabern's spirit will live on.It won't just dissipate into space because we all shared a piece of it and it will just keep going. It doesn't even need a name, as it is a part of all of us now. It will burn like an eternal flame, everlasting,
with great energy and soul and love.

I would like to offer my deepest felt condolences to the Mabern family, on behalf of myself, Lucie and Virginia. Harold was a dear friend, mentor and frequent collaborator. I was shocked and saddened to hear of Harold's passing. We have lost a musical giant. Harold's spirit and unconditional generosity was something to behold, something I witnessed often. He was a torchbearer who was an inspiration to his peers and to musicians of all generations across the globe. I was fortunate to have shared time with Harold on and off the bandstand, and have fond memories that I will always cherish. Harold was a great story teller - it was always a positive and uplifting experience to be in his presence. Harold treated everyone with deep respect and was a great example of how one should go through life, full of love and passion. I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace.

Harold Mabern's powerful and distinctive piano playing was perhaps even surpassed by his graciousness, generosity of spirit and dedication to preserving the roots of the music and educating younger generations. I am honored to have gotten to know him in some small way.

My condolences to the family

I'm sorry that recovering from illness prevented me from saying goodbye to Harold in person this morning at his funeral. He will rest forever in my heart as an outstanding musician and warm human presence. I can see why students adored him because he liked to say that he wasn't a teacher but "an advanced student."
His sense of adventure in music and life is one of his greatest legacies. Deep condolences to his family especially his son Michael Mabern who used to be my colleague at WBAI Pacifica Radio in NYC during the 1980s.

I had always admired Harold's playing through the years, studying at Betklee, them Rutgers. I never had the privilege of formal study under Mr. Mabern, but had run into him at various gigs, most especially at Smoke. Somehow he found out I was a piano player and whenever we saw each other, he always greeted me with what are you working on?
We would then proceed to discussion that turned into mini-lessons and my thanking him profusely for his time, to which his reply was always My pleasure. We have to always pass on the knowledge
I learned more in those conversations than in any formal schooling!
Thank you, Mr. Mabern- Harold, for your generosity and kindness. I will always endeavor to further your legacy as a musician and, most importantly, as a man!

Peace Be Upon Harold my dear piano
hero

With Deepest Sympathy!!!

I am very sorry for your loss. Harold was a true musical icon and who will be missed by all who knew him.

On behalf of myself and The Adams Family (relatives of George Coleman, Sr),
we wish to express our deep sympathy, prayers and love to each of you.
Mr. Mabern's incredible and lasting legacy shall live with us forever.
May God bless you all!

Great Teacher, Great Human