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Kenny Dorham, jazz trumpeter, composer, and occasional singer (1924-1972)
McKinley Howard “Kenny” Dorham (August 30, 1924 – December 5, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and occasional singer. Dorham’s talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention or public recognition from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did. For this reason, writer Gary Giddins said that Dorham’s name has become “virtually synonymous with ‘underrated’.”
Dorham also composed the jazz standard “Blue Bossa”, which was first recorded by his associate Joe Henderson.
Kenny Dorham, (August 30, 1924, Fairfield, Texas, United States – December 5, 1972, New York, United States), was a huge and magnificent trumpeter during his lifetime. Gifted with lyrical phrasing within a hard musical style such as hardbop, he always characterized his spectacular phrasing on the trumpet.
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His musical beginnings were neither more nor less as a featured trumpeter in 1945 in the orchestra of two bebop musicians, Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine. The magnificent work developed in those groups earned him Charlie Parker himself, who incorporated him into his quintet during the years 1948 and 1949. His next work was with drummer Art Blakey, who incorporated him into his newly formed combo, “The Jazz Messengers.” .
At that time he formed a small group which he called “The Jazz Prophets” and when Clifford Brown died, the great drummer Max Roach called him to take his place in his quintet, which he did during the years 1956 and 1958. Despite this formidable competition, Dorham always kept the bar high and his time in the quintets of Charlie Parker first and then Max Roach later elevated him to the top of the podium of hardbop trumpeters.
Kenny Dorham left for posterity a song titled “Blue Bossa” that has become part of the repertoire of modern jazz classics and, together with numerous arrangements for other musicians, earned him a well-deserved reputation as an efficient and inspired composer.
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Kenny Dorham not only excelled as a musician, but also embraced his role as a civil right
advocate. He was active in the fight for racial equality and used his platform to advocate for social change. His commitment to broader issues reflected his deep commitment to justice and equity.
Kenny Dorham – Jazz Contemporary ( Full Album )
Personnel:
Kenny Dorham – trumpet…. Charles Davis – baritone saxophone…. Steve Kuhn – piano…. Jimmy Garrison (# 2, 3, 7, 8 & 10), Butch Warren (# 1, 4-6 & 9) – bass…. Buddy Enlow – drums
Track List:
“A Waltz” – 5:34 “Monk’s Mood” – 8:09 “In Your Own Sweet Way” – 8:01 “Horn Salute” – 8:27 “Tonica” – 2:57 “This Love of Mine” – 6:49 …………………………………………………. Recorded – February 11-12, 1960 – New York City