On September 1, 2018, pianist Harold Mabern graced the Side Door with a performance that underscored his enduring musical rapport with bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth. This trio had previously collaborated on the live album The Iron Man: Live at Smoke, recorded in January 2018 at New York's Smoke Jazz & Supper Club. The album, released in November 2018, features a mix of Mabern's compositions, standards, blues, and ballads, capturing the trio's dynamic interplay and Mabern's expressive playing. (en.wikipedia.org)
While specific reviews of the Side Door performance are not readily available, the trio's prior engagements, such as the Smoke sessions, highlight their cohesive musical dialogue and Mabern's ability to infuse each performance with depth and spontaneity. Their collaboration on The Iron Man exemplifies the rich textures and emotional resonance that Mabern consistently brought to his live performances.
