Alembic Arts AACD 608 & 609
Don Mayberry has been heard on numerous recordings over the years but never as a leader expressing his own musical ideas. We are proud to present this diverse collection of tunes and personnel as a showcase for this talented musician and his equally skilled colleagues. Many of the musicians heard in this collection also have national reputations. Of special interest is the performance of the late Teddy Harris, his last recording date before his passing.
Don is one of Detroit’s leading bassists with an exceptionally varied career locally nationally, and internationally. His career started while still a young teenager with the legendary jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby followed be several years with David Bowie before joining J. C. Heard’s band. Long a favorite as a vocal accompanist, his many national tours found him working with such singers as Lena Horne, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, And Diane Schuur. He remains on call for Michael Finestein, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Rubins, Frank Sinatra Jr., and other top acts. While in Detroit he may be heard regularly at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the world’s oldest jazz club, other jazz venues, with the Detroit Symphony, or backing shows at the Fox Theater.
Also appearing with Don Mayberry are:
Kenn Cox, Teddy Harris Jr, Matt Michaels, Tad Weed--piano
Perry Hughes--guitar
Mike Karoub--cello
George Davidson, Bert Myrick, Kenneth Rice--drums
Dwight Adams, Rayse Biggs--trumpet
George (sax) Benson, Steve Wood, Jim Wyse, Vincent York--reeds
Shahida Nurullah, Kate Patterson, Dennis Rowland--vocals
If I Had You
Get Happy
Without a Song
Stella By Starlight
Sophisticated Lady
Don't Go To Strangers
Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
For Heaven’s Sake
Emily (Theme From “ The Americanizationof Emily”)
We Have All the Time In the World
Confirmation
What A Little Moonlight Can Do
Santurce
Pas de Trois
Elegents
MTKM
Passion Dance
Samba de Romance
Down By the Riverside
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Whispering Hope
Were You There
Petite Fleur
“A wonderfully diverse program of excellent performances…a glowing representation of the exceptional musicians that still reside and perform in our area Bassist Don Mayberry is joined in different groupings of duo to quintet by various combinations of 18 other musicians most of them with national reputations. This makes possible a wide diversity of jazz styles… great listening with variations in mood that preclude any possibility of losing interest” Alex Suczek, Detroit Pro Musica
“Don Mayberry with Special Guests” provides an extensive survey of (his) full-time engagement with the local jazz community. On twenty three tracks, spread over two CDs, each tune with different personnel, he demonstrates the sensitivity and skill that make him in such great demand among local and visiting musicians.
Mayberry keeps it simple: he outlines harmony and keeps time in exemplary fashion, always offering support and never getting in the way. Even on this own CD he only comes to the fore sporadically, stressing the supportive ensemble role of his instrument. His eighteen friends come for the top tier of Detroit area jazz players; as a result this releases provides a marvelous introduction to the current Motor City jazz scene.” (South Eastern Michigan Jazz Association) Jazz Reviews