Harold Mabern, a pianist who began his ascent to prominence just as jazz began to slip into obscurity but quickly became a hard-bop and soul-jazz legend, died September 17. He was 83. [Photo above of Harold Mabern courtesy of ekathimerini.com]
Born in Memphis, Tenn., Mabern was self-taught and inspired by Memphis pianist Phineas Newborn Jr. In 1954, Mabe…