Jazz legend George Cables celebrates his 80th birthday with a stunning new recording, showcasing the timeless artistry that has defined his illustrious career. Known for his flawless technique and unparalleled musicianship, he has established himself as a towering figure in the jazz world. With icons like Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon and Freddie Hubbard he solidified his reputation as one of the most versatile and sought-after pianists of his generation. This album does not just honor his storied past but, with tunes both old and new, it captures the essence of a musician who has not only shaped jazz history but continues to influence it's evolution. The recording features jazz standards by legends like Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and Horace Silver, as well as a tribute to the next generation of jazz talent with a piece by Arcoiris Sandoval, an exciting female pianist making waves in the jazz scene today. Throughout, Cables bridges the past and future of jazz, crafting an album that is a must-listen for any jazz aficionado. Join in celebrating this milestone and the remarkable contributions of a true jazz giant.
SteepleChase audiophile LP Series starts the New Year 2023 with George Cables’ highly acclaimed 1997 trio recording Bluesology, his 7th album on the label. Then at age 53 he was already one of jazz’ luminaries performing and recording with Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson to mention a few.
“…compelling and rewarding disc.” (Miles Jordan – JazzTimes)
“…Bluesology is a distinguished Cables affair while also being just one damn good piano trio record…” (Chris Hovan – AAJ) 180g Audiophile Vinyl
George Cables should be declared a National Treasure. As a pianist he is surely second-to-none on today's jazz scene. Listen only to "A Valentine for You" on Cables' current offering to hear what a jaw-dropping beauty of tone he can produce from the pile of wood and metal we call a piano, and how much critical mass is behind every sonorous voicing of his chords. As a musician he possesses endless imagination and creativity, shown by his strikingly new takes on tunes we thought we knew, particularly the title track, "Too Close for Comfort," which retains little trace of it's pop song origin. As a composer he has quietly amassed a catalog of works of extremely wide range and extraordinary quality, such as his compositions on this new release, "Circle of Love," "This is My Song," "Klimo" and the aforementioned "A Valentine for You." And finally, the album's cover photo perfectly captures George Cables the man - full of boundless energy, a love of his instrument and the music he makes on it and an impish sense of humor, evidenced by his titling the record Too Close for Comfort during a pandemic where social distancing has become the order of the day. The artist Edward Hopper said, "Great art is the outward expression of an inner life of the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world." That would explain why the world according to George Cables is such a wonderful place to be.
George Cables has been the pianist of choice for saxophonists Dexter Gordon and Art Pepper; Pepper called him his favorite pianist. Cables also recorded a lot with jazz stars Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson and Frank Morgan. On Cables' own new trio album, he is so fluent in the ways of the keyboard, song structure and harmony, so aware of his available options at every second, the compositions themselves seem as if they are being made up on the spot. But not all of the trio's decisions are made in the moment. As a structural feature, he loves yoking together his left hand and Essiet Essiet's bass, to give the music an extra-fortified low end. They play in tight unison so often, those doubled bass lines have become the trio's signature. Fused piano and bass have such a distinct color, when they merge it's almost like another instrument making an appearance. The trio polishes it's music to a high gloss, which is so unassumingly good, you could miss just how good it is. It gives good taste a good name.
In the studio again for HighNote, George Cables takes a lifetime of experience and distills it into an unhackneyed program of originals, standards and not-so-standards that pays tribute to those artists whose talent, personality and in some cases genius have left their indelible marks on George Cables the man and the musician.
As a leader and a sideman, George Cables defines mainstream jazz piano. In addition to composing and arranging for his own albums, George Cables has contributed to recordings by Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Bobby Hutcherson and many others. George Cables spent a great deal of time in San Francisco and this live performance was recorded at the famed Keystone Korner in 1980.
George Cables has proved again to be one of the most imaginative trio performers of today’s jazz scene with this his latest CD.
“Listening to this absorbing recital by Mr. Cables, it seemed to me that he now epitomises the best of jazz mainstream piano. Here is a session which even the untutored lay listener can enjoy, with the familiarity of most the songs helping the process….” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)
