“Naima” with Special Guest Harold Mabern

I recorded the John Coltrane classic, “Naima,”with Harold Mabern as my Special Guest Artist on my last CD, Dennis Llewellyn Day – Bossa, Blues, & Ballads. It was a memorable session on many levels for me. At one point “Mabes” made it a teachable moment by reminding us that “Naima” was Coltrane’s favorite composition and how we should all have a certain reverence for it.

When we resumed the session I and the seasoned musicians who were part of this legacy project understood exactly what the “gentle giant maestro” was communicating in an effort to inspire us all with a special warmth and intensity. It was classical Harold Mabern. Here as soloist, “Mabes” offers dynamic flashes of his virtuosity with an exuberance that has pleased audiences and inspired musicians on bandstands and in studio sessions for over 60 years. After the session he told me he was on his way to undergo hand surgery, though he had never alluded to feeling any pain or discomfort during rehearsals or throughout the session.

Here’s what noted critic and Jazz historian Scott Yanow had to say about the track: “This enjoyable album concludes with John Coltrane’s beautiful “Naima.” Dennis sings Jon Hendricks’ lyrics with plenty of feeling, Blue contributes some Coltranish tenor, and the superior playing of pianist Mabern makes this one of the album’s highpoints.”

You won’t be able to see us on this track, but you can hear “Naima” as we offered it that day in a Manhattan studio.  Dennis Llewellyn Day – Vocals, Harold Mabern – Piano, Billy Kaye – Drums, Alex Layne – Bass, Ray Blue – Tenor Sax.