Wikipedia

Kenny Dorham

McKinley Howard"Kenny"Dorham(August 30, 1924 – December 5, 1972)[1]was an Americanjazztrumpeter, 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, writerGary Giddinssaid that Dorham's name has become "virtually synonymous with 'underrated'."[2]

Kenny Dorham
Dorham in a DownBeat advertisement
Dorham in aDownBeatadvertisement
Background information
Birth nameMcKinley Howard Dorham
Born(1924-08-30)August 30, 1924
Fairfield, Texas,U.S.
DiedDecember 5, 1972(1972-12-05)(aged 48)
New York City,U.S.
GenresJazz,bebop,mainstream jazz,hard bop
Occupation(s)Musician, bandleader, composer
Instrument(s)Trumpet, vocals

Dorham also composed thejazz standard"Blue Bossa",which was first recorded by his associateJoe Henderson.

Biography

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Dorham was one of the most activebeboptrumpeters. Early in his career, he played in thebig bandsofLionel Hampton,Billy Eckstine,Dizzy Gillespie,andMercer Ellington,and inCharlie Parker's quintet.[1]He joined Parker's band in December 1948.[3]He was a charter member of the original cooperativethe Jazz Messengers.[1]He also recorded as a sideman withThelonious MonkandSonny Rollins,and he replacedClifford Brownin theMax RoachQuintet after Brown's death in 1956.[1]In addition to sideman work, Dorham led his own groups, including the Jazz Prophets[1](formed shortly afterArt Blakeytook over the Jazz Messengers name). The Jazz Prophets, featuring a youngBobby Timmonson piano, bassistSam Jones,and tenormanJ. R. Monterose,with guestKenny Burrellon guitar, recorded alive album,'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia,in 1956 forBlue Note.

Dorham in an advertisement

In 1963, Dorham added the 26-year-old tenor saxophonistJoe Hendersonto his group,[1]which later recorded the albumUna Mas.The friendship between the two musicians led to a number of other albums, such as Henderson'sPage One,Our Thing,andIn 'n Out.Dorham recorded frequently throughout the 1960s for Blue Note andPrestige Records,as leader and as sideman for Henderson,Jackie McLean,Cedar Walton,Andrew Hill,Milt Jackson,and others.[1]

Dorham atBirdlandin 1954

Dorham's later quartet consisted of some well-known jazz musicians:Tommy Flanagan(piano),Paul Chambers(double bass), andArt Taylor(drums). Their recording debut wasQuiet Kennyfor Prestige's New Jazz label, an album which featured mostlyballads.An earlier quartet featuring Dorham as co-leader with alto saxophone playerErnie Henryhad released an album together under the name "Kenny Dorham/Ernie Henry Quartet." They produced the album2 Horns / 2 RhythmforRiverside Recordsin 1957, with double bassist Eddie Mathias and drummerG.T. Hogan.In 1990, the album was re-released on CD under the name "Kenny Dorham Quartet featuring Ernie Henry".[4][5]

Death

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During his final years, Dorham suffered from kidney disease, from which he died on December 5, 1972, aged 48.[6]

Discography

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As leader

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As sideman

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References

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  1. ^abcdefgLarkin, Colin,ed. (1992).The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.pp. 124/5.ISBN0-85112-580-8.
  2. ^Freeman, Phil (January 15, 2013)."Spotlight: Doing the Philly Twist: Kenny Dorham's Whistle Stop".bluenote.Blue Note Records.
  3. ^Owens, Thomas (1996).Bebop.Oxford University Press. p.111.ISBN978-0-19-510651-0.
  4. ^Yanow, Scott(2000).Bebop.Miller Freeman Books. pp. 79–81.ISBN0-87930-608-4.
  5. ^Listingof the2 Horns/2 Rhythmalbum on Discogs. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  6. ^"Kenny Dorham".Bluenote.RetrievedJuly 26,2021.
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