- Born
- 6 August 1932
Detroit - Died
- 13 April 1986
Santa Monica - Country
- United States
- Record labels
- Atlantic Records, Philips Records, Prestige, Cadet Records, Argo Records
- Discography
- 12 albums
Biography
Dorothy Ashby was a jazz musician who played piano, saxophone, double bass and harp. Dorothy Ashby was born on 6 August 1932 in Detroit and died on 13 April 1986 in Santa Monica. The music is usually filed under jazz, hard bop and cool jazz. Record labels: Atlantic Records, Philips Records, Prestige and Cadet Records. The discography here lists 12 albums, from “The Jazz Harpist” (1957) to “Django / Misty” (1984).
Dorothy Jeanne Thompson (August 6, 1932 – April 13, 1986), better known as Dorothy Ashby, was an American jazz harpist, singer and composer. Hailed as one of the most "unjustly under loved jazz greats of the 1950s" and the "most accomplished modern jazz harpist," Ashby established the harp as an improvising jazz instrument, beyond earlier use as a novelty or background orchestral instrument, proving the harp could play bebop as adeptly as the instruments commonly associated with jazz, such as the saxophone or piano. Ashby had to overcome many obstacles during the pursuit of her career. As an African-American female musician in a male-dominated industry, she was at a disadvantage. In a 1983 interview with W. Royal Stokes for his book Living the Jazz Life, she remarked of her career: "It's been maybe a triple burden in that not a lot of women are becoming known as jazz players. There is also the connection with Black women.
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Discography
Studio and live albums
Listen on Spotify
Frequently asked questions
What instrument did Dorothy Ashby play?
Dorothy Ashby is known for playing piano, saxophone, double bass and harp.
When and where was Dorothy Ashby born?
Dorothy Ashby was born 6 August 1932 in Detroit.
What are Dorothy Ashby's best-known albums?
Albums in our database include The Jazz Harpist (1957), Hip Harp (1958), In a Minor Groove (1958), Soft Winds: The Swinging Harp of Dorothy Ashby (1961) and Dorothy Ashby (1962).
External links
Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.