Kenny Dorham has always been famous for not being famous enough. He has been described as being synonymous for underrated, called an uncrowned trumpet king -Art Blakey already in 1955- or tagged as the most underrated player in the business – Andrew Hill in 1964.

He never gained the same recognition as some of his contemporaries like Miles, Dizzy, or Clifford. However, recordings like these remind us that crowned or not crowned, Kenny was Kenny Dorham, an extraordinary improviser, a prolific composer, and a generous bandmate. A true musician’s musician.

This new Uptown jewel (a label we can never be thankful enough for) presents Kenny in two important phases of his career albeit little documented hence its importance. Two radio broadcasts, 1966 at the Half Note and 1962 at the Flamboyant.

Kenny Dorham  - "K.D. Is Here - New York City 1962 & 1966"

The music is fresh and exciting but familiar at the same time. There’s an element of surprise and discovery embedded in the heart of Dorham’s improvisations. He is not playing using a bag of tricks and rarely repeating himself with a unique sense of swing and a refined and pure melody. Easily recommended.

PERSONNEL

ON TRACKS 1-9:

Kenny Dorham, trumpet, Sonny Red, (Sylvester Kyner Jr), alto sax, Ceda Walton, piano John Ore, bass,  Hugh Walker, drums. Portraits in Jazz Radio Broadcast, The Half Note, New York, February 25, 1966.

ON TRACKS 10-14

Kenny Dorham, Trumpet, Joe Farrell, Tenor Sax Walter Bishop, Jr., Piano, Larry Gales, Bass, Stu Martin, Drums, Concepts In Jazz Radio Broadcast, The Flamboyan, New York, November 12, 1962.

TRACKS:

01. Jung Fu 02. Alan Grant and Kenny Dorham Talk 03. Spring Is Here 04. Alan Grant and Kenny Dorham Talk 05. Somewhere In The Night 06. Alan Grant and Kenny Dorham Talk 07. The Shadow of Your Smile 08. Alan Grant and Kenny Dorham Talk 09. Straight Ahead 10. Woody'n You 11. Alan Grant Introduce the band 12. If I Should Lose You 13. Alan Grant Talk 14. Au Privave (Incomplete). 

By Rashid 'The Jazz Aficianado' Booker

Kenny Dorham has always been famous for not being famous enough. He has been described as being synonymous for underrated, called an uncrowned trumpet king -Art Blakey already in 1955- or tagged as the most underrated player in the business – Andrew Hill in 1964.

He never gained the same recognition as some of his contemporaries like Miles, Dizzy, or Clifford. However, recordings like these remind us that crowned or not crowned, Kenny was Kenny Dorham, an extraordinary improviser, a prolific composer, and a generous bandmate. A true musician’s musician.

This new Uptown  (a label we can never be thankful enough for) presents Kenny in two important phases of his career albeit little documented hence its importance. Two radio broadcasts, 1966 at the Half Note and 1962 at the Flamboyant.