Calvin Newborn

The often overlooked brother of Phineas Newborn, guitarist Calvin Newborn had almost as much command of his instrument as his pianist sibling. He was an excellent melodic interpreter, playing with great fluidity and blues sensibility, and could smoothly execute complex chord progressions or subtly accompany vocalists. Newborn's problem was a lack of a recorded legacy and his willingness to remain in Memphis, where he played in local clubs and with various groups for several decades. Newborn worked and recorded with his brother from 1953 to 1958, and a year later joined Earl Hi...