It was hard to miss
Sammy Davis Jr. during the 1960s, as he was prominent on the radio with a number of hits, as well as singing, dancing, and doing comedy on TV and acting in films. Yet the contributions of this talented entertainer have been overlooked since his death in 1990.
Harold Mabern has long thought of paying tribute to him and this 2012 release conveys the joy of
Davis on-stage, even without vocals. The pianist is joined by tenor saxophonist
Eric Alexander, bassist
John Webber, and drummer
Joe Farnsworth, with a mix of songs from musicals, movies and
Davis' hit records. The quartet's swinging take of "Mr. Lucky" features strong solos by
Mabern and
Alexander, a working relationship that dates back to the dawn of the tenor saxophonist's career two decades earlier.
Mabern's "Soft Shoe Trainin' with Sammy" fits the late entertainer perfectly, an upbeat dance number with the pianist emulating
Davis' adept dancing, an intricate solo by
Webber, and
Alexander's robust tenor, all driven by
Farnsworth's light brushwork.
Alexander's vocal-like tenor is the centerpiece of the driving take of "Night Song."
Mabern's touching piano solo of "Hey There" is elegant and romantic; it is easy to imagine an approving
Davis standing by his side, singing with him. The rhythm section's subtle take of "What Kind of Fool Am I?" utilizes plenty of space, with
Mabern's shimmering piano supported flawlessly by his bandmates. Hopefully this outstanding addition to
Harold Mabern's discography will inspire U.S. labels to record the veteran on a more frequent basis. ~ Ken Dryden