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Leon Lee Dorsey: Thank You Mr. Mabern!

By Mike Jurkovic
February 26, 2021
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He's studied classical double bass with

Ron Carter

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Carter and he's played alongside many of our most revered, among them

Lionel Hampton

vibraphone
1908 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Lionel Hampton,

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey, and

Cassandra Wilson

vocals
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Cassandra Wilson. Still, bassist/composer/arranger

" data-original-title="" title="">Leon Lee Dorsey's name doesn't roll off everyone lips when discussing the top ranks of today's foremost, fearless bassists. But here's breaking news: Dorsey's got himself one hell of a rakin' and scrapin' new album spotlighting, God bless his good heart, the late

Harold Mabern

piano
1936 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Harold Mabern, sitting in two months before his passing in September 2019.

Thank You, Mr. Mabern! has all the precocious virtuosity and ramped up oomph to steal you away from vaccine watch. It's jammin' like them old discs that got us here. All that's missing from this zesty set is a live vibe, the welcome sound of people gathering, flirting, making plans; boppin' to the beat, waiting for a drink. Living, in other words.

Grooving like they're all back in their twenties and rough housing through the clubs, Dorsey, Mabern and drummer

Mike Clark

drums
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Clark play it tight and loose between the ditches. Mabern steers, (a move we should abundantly thank Mr. Dorsey for), and rolls us via Memphis on his own rollicking "Rakin' and Scrapin'" and a rousingly soulful joy ride through

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man." New Orleans looms on a tumbling take on

Fats Domino

piano
1928 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin.'" "Softly, As a Morning Sunrise" is a cutting party in K.C. as Dorsey shines the light on himself for a moment. Add "Misty," "Simone," an effortlessly hummable "Bye Bye Blackbird," a robust tangle through "Summertime," and

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "Moments Notice" and Thank You, Mr. Mabern! leaves you hoping there's outtakes and alternate versions out there.

And hope is a damn good thing.

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Track Listing

Rakin�� and Scrapin��; Simone; Bye Bye Blackbird; Summertime; ��m Walkin; Softly As A Morning Sunrise; Misty; Moment��s Notice.

Personnel

Leon Lee Dorsey

bass, acoustic

Harold Mabern

piano

Mike Clark

drums

Album information

Title: Thank You Mr. Mabern! | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Jazz Avenue 1

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