Kenny Dorham: The Art of the Ballad

Kenny Dorham’s trumpet was certainly equal to the challenge of the ballad, with his liquidy trumpet doing total justice to the opener, “Darn that Dream.” Dorham was an incredible instrumentalist, thriving on changes and having so many different facets of his playing. This recording highlights Dorham’s many different sides, from swinger to balladeer, and from lyrical to straight and to the point. All of the records are of late 1950’s vintage, and the collection is living proof that Dorham, who never achieved the ranks of jazz stardom, was a musician worthy of that status. Just take a listen to his reading of “Falling in Love with Love,” for example, and submerge yourself in the music he delivers with Sonny Rollins on tenor, Hank Jones on piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Max Roach, of course, doing the drum work. The years just melt away.

Originally Published December 1, 1998