Kenny Dorham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenny Dorham
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Kenny Dorham at the Metropole Hotel in Toronto, 1954.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | McKinley Howard Dorham |
| Born | August 30, 1924 Fairfield, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 5, 1972 (aged 48) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, bebop, mainstream jazz, hard bop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer |
| Instruments | Trumpet, vocals |
| Associated acts | Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Abbey Lincoln, Hank Mobley, Max Roach, Horace Silver |
McKinley Howard "Kenny" Dorham (born August 30, 1924 – died December 5, 1972) was a talented American jazz musician. He was known for playing the trumpet, singing, and writing music. Many music experts and other musicians praised Kenny Dorham's skills. However, he did not become as famous as some of his fellow jazz artists. Because of this, writer Gary Giddins once said that Kenny Dorham's name became "virtually synonymous with underrated." One of his most famous songs is the jazz classic "Blue Bossa." This song first appeared on Joe Henderson's album Page One.
Contents
Kenny Dorham's Early Career in Jazz
Kenny Dorham was a very active trumpet player in the bebop style of jazz. He played in several large jazz bands, also known as "big bands." These included groups led by famous musicians like Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. He also played with Charlie Parker's smaller group, called a quintet, starting in 1948.
Joining The Jazz Messengers
Kenny Dorham was one of the first members of a very important jazz group called The Jazz Messengers. This group was known for its exciting and energetic jazz music. He also recorded music with other jazz legends. These included Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins.
Replacing a Jazz Star
In 1956, Kenny Dorham took the place of Clifford Brown in the Max Roach Quintet. Clifford Brown was a highly respected trumpet player who had sadly passed away. Dorham stepped in to continue the group's great music.
Leading His Own Jazz Groups
Besides playing with other artists, Kenny Dorham also led his own bands. One of his groups was called the Jazz Prophets. He formed this band shortly after Art Blakey took over the Jazz Messengers name.
The Jazz Prophets' Live Album
The Jazz Prophets included young talents like Bobby Timmons on piano and J. R. Monterose on saxophone. In 1956, they recorded a live album called 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia. This album was released by Blue Note, a famous jazz record label.
Collaborations and Later Work
In 1963, Kenny Dorham invited a 26-year-old saxophone player named Joe Henderson to join his group. This partnership led to many great recordings. One of their albums was Una Mas. This group also featured a very young drummer named Tony Williams.
Working with Joe Henderson
The friendship between Dorham and Henderson resulted in several other important albums. These included Henderson's own albums like Page One, Our Thing, and In 'n Out. Kenny Dorham recorded many times in the 1960s. He worked with labels like Blue Note and Prestige Records. He recorded as a leader and as a sideman for many artists. These included Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton, and Andrew Hill.
Kenny Dorham's Later Quartet
Later in his career, Kenny Dorham had a quartet with well-known jazz musicians. This group included Tommy Flanagan on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Their first album together was Quiet Kenny. This album mostly featured slower, more melodic songs called ballads.
Earlier Collaborations
Before that, Kenny Dorham also co-led a quartet with alto saxophone player Ernie Henry. They released an album in 1957 called 2 Horns / 2 Rhythm. This album was later re-released as "Kenny Dorham Quartet featuring Ernie Henry."
Kenny Dorham's Legacy
Kenny Dorham passed away on December 5, 1972, at the age of 48, after dealing with health problems. Even though he wasn't as famous as some other jazz stars, his music is still highly respected. He left behind a wonderful collection of recordings that continue to inspire musicians and fans.
Discography (Selected Albums)
Here are some of the albums Kenny Dorham led or played on:
As a Bandleader
- 1953: Kenny Dorham Quintet (Debut)
- 1955: Afro-Cuban (Blue Note)
- 1956: 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia (Blue Note)
- 1957: Jazz Contrasts (Riverside)
- 1959: Quiet Kenny (New Jazz)
- 1961: Whistle Stop (Blue Note)
- 1963: Una Mas (Blue Note)
- 1964: Trompeta Toccata (Blue Note)
As a Sideman (Playing with Others)
- With Charlie Parker: Swedish Schnapps (Verve)
- With Art Blakey: The Jazz Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia Volume 1 (1955)
- With Joe Henderson: Page One (Blue Note, 1963)
- With Thelonious Monk: Genius of Modern Music: Volume 2 (Blue Note, 1952)
- With Max Roach: Max Roach + 4 (EmArcy, 1956)
- With Sonny Rollins: Moving Out (Prestige, 1954)
- With Horace Silver: Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers (Blue Note, 1954)
See also
In Spanish: Kenny Dorham para niños
