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Kenny Dorham: Blue Bossa in the Bronx: Live from the Blue Morocco

By Jack Kenny
April 24, 2025
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Kenny Dorham: Blue Bossa in the Bronx: Live from the Blue Morocco

The vagaries of the jazz life are all over this release. Why Kenny Dorham should be underappreciated is a mystery. For the gig at the Blue Morocco he had assembled a great super group with a deep well of experience. Drummer

Denis Charles

drums
1933 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Denis Charles had worked with

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor. Kenny Dorham had accompanied

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker, at Parker's peak. Bassist

Paul Chambers

bass, acoustic
1935 - 1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Chambers had supported both

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis and

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins. Pianist

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton had been in the Jazz Messengers.

Grant Green

guitar
1935 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Grant Green. All that combined experience, replete with history and hard-won expertise, was on the small stage at the Blue Morocco. If only time travel were possible.

The audience at the Blue Morocco must surely have swayed at Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa." What an attractive melody. The ease with which Dorham slides around the changes propelled by Cedar Walton and Paul Chambers is underpinned by the sensible percussive placements of Denis Charles.

The surprise of the set is Sonny Red. Sonny had his own agenda; he eschewed the play-it-safe mode to deliver solos that had an edge tinged with an abrasive tone that gave his alto a sense of danger: a good foil to the more conciliatory Dorham.

Cedar Walton inserted the occasional quote into his improvisation when he was not being percussive as he built solos to a satisfying climax.

Denis Charles' background was in the avant-garde, but it was not apparent. He seemed more impressed with the stylings of Tony Williams.

Paul Chambers' work had a beautiful structural quality and a deep, sensuous sound. His tone was consistent and firm and his solos had a narrative quality.. His playing, both bowed and plucked, had a depth and a fluid, loose-limbed quality.

Dorham plays a stately solo on "My One and Only Love" with his distinctive personal style. He was happy to keep within his range, fashioning an inventive lyrical solo: no bluster, just beauty, natural, intuitive.

On "Bag's Groove." Sonny Red's solo was expansive, assertive with leaps up the scales. He enjoyed the space to chart unusual paths through the melody.

"Confirmation" has memories of

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker as they all negotiate the complex theme.

"Memories of You" was all Sonny Red. Listening to his solo causes more reflection on the inconsistency of the jazz life. Sonny died in obscurity. Difficult to understand why the vibrant playing here should have led to that is another mystery.

The release, as with all the Resonance recordings, is essential because it combines enthusiasm with the scholarly approach. With fine, incisive liner notes from Bob Blumenthal, comments from trumpeters

Eddie Henderson

trumpet
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Henderson and

Jeremy Pelt

trumpet
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Pelt, a warm reminiscence from Dan Morgenstern and Kenny Dorham's daughters share their memories. Producer Zev Feldman notes that this release celebrates Kenny Dorham's centenary.

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Track Listing

Blue Bossa; Confirmation; Memories of You; My One and Only Love; Bags�� Groove; Blue Friday; The Theme.

Personnel

Kenny Dorham

trumpet

Sonny Red

saxophone, alto

Cedar Walton

piano

Paul Chambers

bass, acoustic

Denis Charles

drums

Album information

Title: Blue Bossa in the Bronx: Live from the Blue Morocco | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Resonance Records

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