Today in Jazz

Marian McPartland, Piano, 1920, Windsor, Eng

Marian studied music at the Guildhall School Of Music in London, leaving during World War Two to join a musical group that eventually entertained British and American troops.  In 1944 she met and married American trumpeter Jimmy McPartland.  The couple moved to the U.S. in 1946 where Marian began her career as a modern jazz  pianist. She had to overcome nationality and sex discrimination by American musicians.  In 1950 she formed her own trio, performing at the Embers Club in New York and the Hickory House in Chicago.  Known for her elegant modern style, Marian has performed at many important jazz venues and acted as host and producer of a nationally syndicated series, "Jazz Piano".  From the mid '50s she has spent much time introducing jazz to school children. Although Marian and Jimmy later divorced, they still, occasionally, continued to work together . In the early '80s she returned to classical music, performing Grieg's Piano Concerto throughout the U.S., but  remained active performing and recording jazz.  Her book, "All In Good Time" was published in 1987.

Harold Mabern, Piano, 1936, Memphis, TN

Harold taught himself to play the piano as a teenager and after moving to Chicago in 1954 he studied harmony with Ahmad Jamal. He joined Walter Perkin's group MJT + 3. He then moved to New York in 1959 where he played with Lionel Hampton, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson.  During the 1960s he also accompanied the singers Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, and Arthur Prysock.  He  recorded with Billy Harper in Japan and performed in England with his own group.  Mabern claims to have been influenced by Phineas Newborn, George Coleman, and John Coltrane.  As a composer Harold is known for his melodic compositions, including "Blues for Phineas", and "Rakin and Scrapin".

Sonny Russo, Trombone, 1929, Brooklyn, NY

Burt Bales, Piano, 1916, Stevensville, MT

March 2010

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