Phineas Newborn • I Love a Piano

 

Biography
by Scott Yanow
One of the most technically skilled and brilliant pianists in jazz during his prime, Phineas Newborn remains a bit of a mystery. Plagued by mental and physical problems of unknown origin, Newborn faded from the scene in the mid-'60s, only to re-emerge at irregular intervals throughout his life. Newborn could be compared to Oscar Peterson in that his bop-based style was largely unclassifiable, his technique was phenomenal, and he was very capable of enthralling an audience playing a full song with just his left hand.

He started out working in Memphis R&B bands with his brother, guitarist Calvin Newborn, and recorded with local players including B.B. King in the early '50s. Brief stints with Lionel Hampton and Willis Jackson preceded a period in the military (1952-1954). After moving to New York in 1956, Newborn astounded fans and critics alike. Although he worked briefly with Charles Mingus (1958) and Roy Haynes, Newborn usually performed at the head of a trio or quartet. His early recordings for Atlantic (1956), Victor, Roulette, and Contemporary are quite outstanding. Unfortunately, after the mid-'60s, Newborn's profile dropped sharply, and although there were further recordings for Contemporary (1969), Atlantic (1969), Pablo (1976) and the Japanese Philips (1977) label, and although he still sounded strong when appearing in public, the pianist was in danger of being forgotten by most of the jazz world during his last decade. Spending most of his time in Memphis, he was an inspiration to many younger pianists including James Williams, Harold Mabern, Mulgrew Miller, Donald Brown, and Geoff Keezer, who after Newborn's death would dedicate their work as the Contemporary Piano Ensemble to him. Fortunately, the episode of Jazz Scene USA that features Phineas Newborn in 1962 has been made available on a video by "Shanachie."
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phineas-newborn-jr-mn0000335889/biography

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Biografía
por Scott Yanow
Phineas Newborn, uno de los pianistas más brillantes y técnicamente hábiles del jazz durante su época de esplendor, sigue siendo un misterio. Aquejado de problemas mentales y físicos de origen desconocido, Newborn se desvaneció de la escena a mediados de los años 60, para reaparecer a intervalos irregulares a lo largo de su vida. Newborn podría compararse con Oscar Peterson en el sentido de que su estilo basado en el bop era en gran medida inclasificable, su técnica era fenomenal y era muy capaz de cautivar al público tocando una canción completa sólo con la mano izquierda.

Empezó trabajando en bandas de R&B de Memphis con su hermano, el guitarrista Calvin Newborn, y grabó con músicos locales, como B.B. King, a principios de los años 50. Tras un breve paso por Lionel Hampton y Willis Jackson, pasó por el ejército (1952-1954). Tras trasladarse a Nueva York en 1956, Newborn asombró a los fans y a la crítica. Aunque trabajó brevemente con Charles Mingus (1958) y Roy Haynes, Newborn solía actuar al frente de un trío o cuarteto. Sus primeras grabaciones para Atlantic (1956), Victor, Roulette y Contemporary son bastante destacadas. Desgraciadamente, a partir de mediados de los años 60, el perfil de Newborn descendió bruscamente, y aunque hubo más grabaciones para Contemporary (1969), Atlantic (1969), Pablo (1976) y el sello japonés Philips (1977), y aunque seguía sonando con fuerza cuando aparecía en público, el pianista corrió el peligro de ser olvidado por la mayor parte del mundo del jazz durante su última década. Al pasar la mayor parte de su tiempo en Memphis, fue una inspiración para muchos pianistas más jóvenes, como James Williams, Harold Mabern, Mulgrew Miller, Donald Brown y Geoff Keezer, que tras la muerte de Newborn le dedicarían su trabajo como Contemporary Piano Ensemble. Afortunadamente, el episodio de Jazz Scene USA en el que aparece Phineas Newborn en 1962 está disponible en un vídeo de "Shanachie".
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phineas-newborn-jr-mn0000335889/biography

Credits:
A1 - Take The "A" Train
A2 - Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
A3 - Ain't Misbehavin'
A4 - I've Got The World On A String
A5 - The Midnight Sun Never Sets
B1 - Real Gone Guy
B2 - Undecided
B3 - Ivy League Blues
B4 - Love And Marriage
B5 - Give Me The Simple Life


Credits:
    Bass – John Simmons
    Drums – Roy Haynes
    Piano – Phineas Newborn
    Producer – Teddy Reig

Recorded New York City, October 26/29, 1959.

Label: Roulette – SR 52043
Series: Birdland Series
Released: 1960
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop
https://www.discogs.com/release/5621933-The-Phineas-Newborn-Trio-I-Love-A-Piano

 

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