Kenny Dorham



Originally from Texas, McKinley Dorham (1924-1972), better known at Kenny or KD left a giant mark on jazz trumpet from the late 1940s through the late 1960s. His prodigious skills included not only trumpet playing but also as a pianist, composer, and arranger. In the 2nd half of the 1940s he had opportunities to perform with the greatest bebop musicians.

Kenny Dorham - Episode 1

This show examines some of his influences and bebop recordings from the 1940s as he is beginning to develop a highly personal style. These recordings were originally issued as 2-sided 78s and later reissued in 33rpm compilations
CompositionAritstYear
Salt PeanutsDizzy Gillesie Sextet1945
Rue Chaptal (Royal Roost)Kenny Clarke and his 52nd Street Boys1946
Everything's CoolFats Navarro & Gil Fuller's Modernists1946
Bop AlleyArt Blakey's Messengers1947
VisaCharlie Parker Sextet1949
ElyseeJ.J. Johnson’s Beboppers1949
April In ParisCharlie Parker Live at Cafe Society1950

Kenny Dorham - Episode 2

Recordings from 1950 to 1955. In the early 1950s he relocated to Los Angeles where he took a day job, but continued performing. Here he recorded his 1st album as a band leader and also recorded some great tracks with pianist Thelonious Monk and with the Horace Silver/Art Blakey Jazz Messengers.
CompositionArtistAlbumYear
Let’s Cool OneThelonious MonkGenius of Modern Music Vol.21952
OsmosisKenny DorhamThe Kenny Dorham Quintet1953
Ruby My DearKenny DorhamThe Kenny Dorham Quintet1953
Room 608Horace Silver & the Jazz Messengers1954
Minors HolidayKenny DorhamAfro Cuban1955
Like Someone in LoveArt Blakey & MessengersLive at Café Bohemia vol 21955

Kenny Dorham - Episode 3

CompositionArtistAlbum TitleYear
Ezz-thetic (Love for Sale)Max RoachMax Roach + 41956
Love LettersMax RoachJazz in 3/4 Time1957
Valse HotMax RoachJazz in 3/4 Time1957
My ReverieHank MobleyHank Mobley Featuring Sonny Clark1957
Autumn LeavesKenny DorhamThis Is The Moment1958
Stage WestKenny DorhamThe Arrival of Kenny Dorham1960

Kenny Dorham - Episode 4

CompositionArtistAlbumYear
Spring is HereKenny DorhamBlue Spring1959
My IdealKenny DorhamQuiet Kenny1959
BillKenny DorhamShowboat1960
It Could Happen to YouKenny DorhamInta’ Something1961
Sunrise in MexicoKenny DorhamWhistle Stop1961
SmileKenny DorhamMatador1962

Kenny Dorham - Episode 5

By 1963 his music shows a Brazilian influence mixed with some popular dance rhythm. His collaboration with younger musicians such as Joe Henderson, Andrew Hill, McCoy Tyner, and Herbie Hancock show that he is still developing as a creative improviser, and could change his approach to playing in order to accommodate the newer modern styles that were becoming popular in the mid 1960’s.
CompositionArtistAlbumYear
Una MasKenny DorhamUna Mas1963
RecordameJoe HendersonPage One1963
Blue BossaJoe HendersonPage One1963
Pedro’s TimeJoe HendersonOur Thing1963
Trompetta ToccataKenny DorhamTrompetta Toccata1964
RefugeAndrew HillPoint of Departure1964
In and OutJoe HendersonIn and Out1964