HAROLD MABERN & ERIC ALEXANDER
Old-school blues is waning a bit as jazz continues to evolve. That doesn’t mean its value is diminished, and in the hands of the mighty 88-year-old pianist, it certainly doesn’t mean its impact is lacking. The Memphis native has a way of bumping the heft of his solos without forsaking their grace; he can be the most tasteful bulldozer around. With the fleet hard-bop runs of saxophonist Alexander leading the way, their band illustrated just how engaging the pleasures of swing can be.
Top 10 Moments of the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
From bent bop to old-school blues to pulse and skronk, this year’s fest had a lot going for it
