Kenny Dorham's career trajectory was spotty due to the master trumpeter's ever-failing health, thankfully before his death in 1972 Dorham put out some great and versatile albums. As much as I love his entire body of work, my favorite Dorham moment is this 1956 club date committed to tape and titled 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia. First let's take a gander at the cover: Dorham in a hideous blazer grips an old mic, superimposed behind him is a landscape of urban rooftops at dawn. The whole package perfectly captures the smoky, seedy city vibe of the recording. Dorham's band, comprised of names like J.R. Monterose, Bobby Timmons, Kenny Burrell, Sam Jones, and Arthur Edgehill, slide and slunk through the Monk classic from which the albums title comes, as well as a number of standards and a few Dorham originals. The perfect late night, ice clinking in a stiff drink type of record.
2 comments:
This is perfectly suited to the cloudy morning (and is reminding me to revisit Andrew Hill's Point of Departure...). Thanks Aesop!
thanks ! great shit! welcome back to the captain's seat. i trust you had fun and got a lot accomplished while you were gone?
Post a Comment