Phineas Newborn Jr.
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."
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Here Is Phineas
Jazz - Released by Rhino Atlantic on 28 apr. 2021
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A World Of Piano!
Jazz - Released by Contemporary Records on 15 dec. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Piano Portraits / I Love a Piano
Jazz - Released by Ornithology Rec on 27 mrt. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best Of
Jazz - Released by Vintage Masters Inc. on 1 mei 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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A World of Piano (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Musts on 15 jun. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Here is Phineas. The Piano Artistry of Phineas Newborn Jr. (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Efor, S.L on 9 jul. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Here Is Phineas: The Piano Artistry of Phineas Newborn Jr. (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Heart & Soul Records on 1 dec. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Phineas Newborn Jr. Plays Harold Arlen's Music from Jamaica
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 7 feb. 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Plays Harold Arlen's Music from "Jamaica" (with Sahib Shihab, Les Spann, George Duvivier, Osie Johnson & Willie Rodríguez)
Jazz - Released by Moon Beams Records on 1 aug. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Remastered Hits Vol. 3 (All Tracks Remastered)
Jazz - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 31 jul. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Christmas Song /Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Jazz - Released by Pobammusic LLC on 1 okt. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Best Of NEW (All Tracks Remastered)
Jazz - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 3 jun. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Leisure Time
Jazz - Released by LST Collector Series on 12 sep. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
St. Nicholas - For Young Folks
Jazz - Released by St. Nicholas Day on 9 dec. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Phineas' Rainbow
Bebop - Released by Music Manager on 10 sep. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -