ENDEIT
Kenny Dorham
Photo: —, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Trumpeters · 1924–1972

Kenny Dorham

American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer (1924–1972)

Born
30 August 1924
Fairfield
Died
5 December 1972
New York City
Country
United States
Record labels
Blue Note
Discography
28 albums

Biography

Kenny Dorham was a jazz musician who played trumpet and voice. Kenny Dorham was born on 30 August 1924 in Fairfield and died on 5 December 1972 in New York City. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: Blue Note. The discography here lists 28 albums, from “Afro-Cuban” (1955) to “Blue Bossa (Live at the Blue Morocco in the Bronx, New York in 1967)” (2025).

McKinley Howard "Kenny" Dorham (August 30, 1924 – December 5, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and occasional singer. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention or public recognition from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did. For this reason, writer Gary Giddins said that Dorham's name has become "virtually synonymous with 'underrated'." Dorham also composed the bossa nova jazz standard "Blue Bossa", which was first recorded by his associate Joe Henderson.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Afro-Cuban 1955
'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia 1956 · Live
Jazz Contrasts 1957
This Is the Moment! Kenny Dorham Sings and Plays 1958
Blue Friday 1960
Jazz Contemporary 1960
Quiet Kenny 1960
The Arrival of Kenny Dorham 1960
Blue Lament 1961
Jerome Kern Showboat 1961
Whistle Stop 1961
Inta Somethin' 1962 · Live
Matador 1963
Una más (One More Time) 1964
Trompeta Toccata 1965
Short Story 1979
'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia, Volume I 1987 · Live
'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia, Volume II 1987 · Live
Hot Stuff From Brazil 1988
West 42nd Street 1989
Osmosis 1990
The Shadow of Your Smile 1990
The Complete 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia 1995 · Live
New York 1964 2006 · Live
The Flamboyan, Queens, NY, 1963 2009 · Live
K.D. Is Here / New York City 1962 & 1966 2016
Swedish Sessions 2019
Blue Bossa (Live at the Blue Morocco in the Bronx, New York in 1967) 2025 · Live

Also plays on

Albums where Kenny Dorham is credited as a sideman

1952 Bird and Diz — Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie trumpet

Standards written by Kenny Dorham

TitleKeyFormGroove
Blue Bossa C minor A · 16 Bossa nova

Analysed solos by Kenny Dorham

  • Blues in Be-Boptrumpet · 187 BPM · Eb-maj · 1946-09-04
  • Doodlin'trumpet · 121 BPM · Db-maj · 1954-11-13
  • Lady Birdtrumpet · 212 BPM · C-maj · 1955-11-11
  • Prince Alberttrumpet · 153 BPM · F-min · 1955-11-11
  • In 'n Outtrumpet · 294 BPM · Eb-maj · 1964-04-10
  • Punjabtrumpet · 155 BPM · D-chrom · 1964-04-10
  • Serenitytrumpet · 155 BPM · Eb-maj · 1964-04-10

Teacher of

Joe Henderson 1937–2001 · American jazz saxophonist (1937–2001)

Historic 78 rpm records

  • ROLL 'EM BAGS KENNY CLARKE AND HIS CLIQUE · Kenny Dorham · Julius Watkins · Billy… · 1949 archive.org ↗
  • FOX HUNT JAY JAY JOHNSON'S BOPPERS · JAY JAY JOHNSON · SONNY ROLLINS · KENNY… · 1949 archive.org ↗
  • HILO JAY JAY JOHNSON'S BOPPERS · Jay Jay JOHNSON · SONNY ROLLINS · KENNY… · 1949 archive.org ↗
  • "ELYSSES" JAY JAY JOHNSON BOPPERS · MAX ROACH · Kenny Dorham · Sonny Rollins ·… · 1949 archive.org ↗

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Kenny Dorham play?

Kenny Dorham is known for playing trumpet and voice.

When and where was Kenny Dorham born?

Kenny Dorham was born 30 August 1924 in Fairfield.

What are Kenny Dorham's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Afro-Cuban (1955), 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia (1956), Jazz Contrasts (1957), This Is the Moment! Kenny Dorham Sings and Plays (1958) and Blue Friday (1960).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.