Phineas Newborn Transcriptions

Biography of Phineas Newborn

Phineas Newborn was an American jazz pianist renowned for his astounding, orchestral technique that drew comparisons to Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, establishing him as one of the most formidable virtuosos of his generation. His career peaked in the late 1950s and early 1960s with acclaimed albums for labels like Atlantic and Contemporary, where he worked with greats like Charles Mingus and Roy Haynes, but was severely interrupted by struggles with schizophrenia and related health issues. After a period of obscurity and hospitalization, he made a partial comeback in the 1970s and 1980s, leaving behind a legacy as a uniquely gifted pianist whose technical prowess remains a benchmark in jazz history.