Kenny Dorham American jazz trumpeter, singer and composer Date of Birth: 30.08.1924 Country: USA

1. Biography of Kenny Dorham
2. Talent and Recognition
3. Active Career
4. Leadership and Collaborations
5. Later Years and Death

Biography of Kenny Dorham

Kenny Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and composer who played jazz, bebop, and hard bop. As the leader of a jazz collective, he released 18 albums from 1953 to 1964. McKinley Howard Dorham was born on August 30, 1924, in Fairfield, Texas.

Talent and Recognition

Dorham's talent was often praised by critics and fellow musicians, but he never received the same attention from influential jazz musicians as many of his colleagues. According to writer Gary Giddins, his name almost became synonymous with underrated. However, Dorham is the author of the jazz standard "Blue Bossa," which first appeared on Joe Henderson's album "Page One" in 1963.

Active Career

Dorham was one of the most active trumpeters in the bebop genre. He played in big bands led by Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, and Mercer Ellington, as well as in Charlie Parker's quintet. Together with Art Blakey, he was one of the founders of the original lineup of the "Jazz Messengers." Dorham also recorded as an accompanist with pianist Thelonious Monk and saxophonist Sonny Rollins, and replaced Clifford Brown in the "Max Roach Quintet" after Brown's death in 1956.

Leadership and Collaborations

In addition to performing in other groups, Dorham led his own orchestras, including the "Jazz Prophets," formed shortly after Art Blakey took over the "Jazz Messengers." The "Jazz Prophets," featuring young pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Sam Jones, and saxophonist J.R. Monterose, recorded the live album "Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia" for the jazz label "Blue Note" in 1956.

In 1963, Dorham added 26-year-old tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson to his lineup, who later recorded an album with the very young drummer Tony Williams. Their friendship led to the creation of several other albums, such as "Page One," "Our Thing," and "In 'n Out." Throughout the 1960s, Dorham frequently recorded for "Blue Note" and "Prestige Records" as a leader and as a member of ensembles with Henderson, Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton, Andrew Hill, Milt Jackson, and other musicians.

Later Years and Death

Dorham's quintet initially consisted of several well-known jazz musicians, including Tommy Flanagan on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Their debut joint recording was "Quiet Kenny" for the "New Jazz" label, an album primarily consisting of ballads. Previously, the quartet led by Dorham and alto saxophonist Ernie Henry released an album entitled "Kenny Dorham/Ernie Henry Quartet." In 1957, they prepared the album "2 Horns/2 Rhythm" for "Riverside Records" with bassist Eddie Mathias and drummer G.T. Hogan. This album is currently released under the title "Kenny Dorham Quartet," although it is technically not entirely accurate from a historical standpoint.

In his later years, Dorham suffered from kidney disease, which eventually led to his death on December 5, 1972, at the age of 48.