Harold Mabern Mr. Lucky: A Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. (High Note Records)
by Alex Henderson
Sammy Davis, Jr.’s contributions to traditional pop are somewhat underrated by many musicologists, who don’t give him the level of respect as Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett or fellow Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Of course, the fact that Davis recorded his share of cute novelty tunes (including his 1972 smash “The Candy Man”) doesn’t help. But make no mistake: when Davis had great material to work with, he was a superb crooner. Pianist Harold Mabern’s Mr. Lucky acknowledges the type of depth of which Davis was quite capable.
Although Davis was never a jazz singer, Mabern uses straightahead hardbop and postbop to pay homage. None of the songs were actually written by Davis, but they are from his repertoire, ranging from Johnny Mercer’s “Something’s Gotta Give” to Walter Marks’ “I’ve Gotta Be Me” to Henry Mancini’s title track. This recording finds the hard-swinging yet lyrical Mabern leading a quartet of Eric Alexander (tenor sax), John Webber (bass) and Joe Farnsworth (drums), the expressive, big-toned saxophonist laying out on Leslie Bricusse-Anthony Newley’s “What Kind of Fool Am I?” and Mabern unaccompanied on a solo piano interpretation of Richard Adler-Jerry Ross’ “Hey There.” Although Mabern doesn’t perform “The Candy Man”, Alexander briefly quotes it on Bricusse-Newley’s “The People Tree.”
Mabern, now 76, has recorded some fine albums over the years; this thoughtful tribute certainly deserves to go down in history as one of his best.
For more information, visit jazzdepot.com. Mabern is at Juilliard School Peter Jay Sharp Theater Oct. 16th with the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra and Zeb’s Oct. 21st with BAANO. See Calendar.
