"Bobby, Benny, Jymie, Lee, Bu" is an original composition by Harold Mabern from his 2014 album Afro Blue on the Smoke Sessions label. The title pays tribute to five jazz colleagues -- likely referencing musicians who played important roles in Mabern's long career, with "Bu" being the well-known nickname of drummer Art Blakey. Set in the key of F with a 24-bar blues form, the tune swings at 151 beats per minute in a medium-tempo groove. The extended 24-bar blues, double the standard 12-bar form, gives the composition a more expansive harmonic footprint than a typical blues head while retaining the earthy, grounded quality of the blues tradition. Mabern is the sole featured soloist, taking two full choruses of piano improvisation that together span over a minute. His solo draws deeply from the Memphis blues and gospel roots that always informed his playing, filtered through decades of hard bop experience and harmonic sophistication. The track functions as both a personal dedication and a musical statement, connecting Mabern's present-day artistry to the community of musicians who shaped his development. As a solo piano feature on an album that also showcases notable guest artists, this performance stands as a testament to Mabern's ability to hold the listener's attention through the sheer force of his pianistic personality and blues conviction.
