Kenny Dorham
Kenny Dorham, born McKinley Howard Dorham on August 30, 1924, in Fairfield, Texas, was a prominent American jazz trumpeter, composer, and occasional singer. He was a significant figure in the bebop and hard bop genres, known for his distinctive style and lyrical trumpet playing. Despite his talent and contributions to jazz, Dorham was often overshadowed by his contemporaries, leading to his reputation as an "underrated" musician, as noted by writer Gary Giddins.
Dorham's early career saw him playing with some of the most influential big bands of the time, including those led by Lionel Hampton, Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, and Mercer Ellington. He joined Charlie Parker's quintet in 1948, replacing Miles Davis, and became a charter member of the Jazz Messengers, a cooperative group that played a crucial role in the development of hard bop.
Throughout his career, Dorham collaborated with numerous jazz greats, such as Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and Max Roach. He formed his own groups, including the Jazz Prophets, and recorded several albums as a leader. Notable recordings include "Quiet Kenny," "Whistle Stop," and "Una Mas," the latter featuring the bossa nova jazz standard "Blue Bossa," which he composed.
In the 1960s, Dorham frequently recorded for Blue Note and Prestige Records, working with artists like Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, and Cedar Walton. His later years were marked by declining health due to kidney disease, which ultimately led to his death on December 5, 1972, in New York City at the age of 48. Despite his relatively short life, Kenny Dorham's contributions to jazz continue to be celebrated and studied by enthusiasts and musicians alike.
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