Harold Mabern wrote history as a sideman with among others Lee Morgan. ‘Few jazz pianists have come so close to the essence of the blues’ (Penguin Guide to Jazz).

It is said that hard bop and soul jazz pianist Harold Mabern knows thousands of songs by heart, from standards to Stevie Wonder. He has built a wonderful career as a sideman for among others Lee Morgan, Wes Montgomery and Roy Haynes, with albums on Blue Note and Impulse. Rare groove-aficionados might know him from albums by Stanley Turrentine, on which he plays Fender Rhodes. At the Bimhuis he will perform on piano, with his own trio.

‘There is something about Harold Mabern that just breathes Memphis. Few jazz pianists have come so close to the essence of the blues, yet there is nothing crude or revivalist about his playing, which also indicates a heavy debt to the spacious approach of Ahmad Jamal and Phineas Newborn’ (Penguin Guide to Jazz).

‘With the wind in his back, he can sound like an ocean roar’ (Gary Giddins, Village Voice).

The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 til 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).

Harold Mabern piano, John Webber bas, Joe Farnsworth drums