Harold Mabern
Piano Solo on
Such Is Life

About

Opening the solo section, this piano improvisation spans a half chorus of the 32-bar AB form at a Latin feel at 72 BPM. As one of several Mabern originals on the album, this track showcases his skill as a composer who could create distinctive vehicles for improvisation without relying on conventional formal templates. Mabern's piano solo engages with the Latin feel through rhythmically varied phrasing and harmonic exploration. The two contrasting sections provide natural opportunities for the soloist to shift approach and build dramatic arc. Following this solo, Jeremy Pelt takes over on trumpet.

Harold Mabern was 77 to 78 years old at the time.