December 15th, 2023, was the 70th anniversary of Kenny Dorham's first recording date as a leader. This "Kenny Dorham Quintet" album includes the first studio recording of An Oscar For Oscar, an intricate bebop blues head in that classic K.D. style. We have a lead sheet that reflects this version, as well as a combined melody and solo transcription with detailed articulations for an in-depth look at his unique phrasing.
December 16th was Bobby Porcelli's 86th birthday. We're celebrating with K.D., his tribute to Kenny Dorham. It's a medium-tempo Latin song based on the changes of Alone Together, with plenty of allusions to Dorham's harmonic sophistication and melodic depth. Bobby is featured on some of our "K.D. Challenge" tracks of Dorham compositions; this song is a great opportunity to hear K.D.'s influence from Bobby's own point of view. A video is available of Bobby playing this song with a sextet from Columbia University.
Another of our composers celebrating a birthday in mid-December is Walter Bolden (born December 17th, 1925). Walter wrote Mr. A.T. Revisited for fellow drummer Art Taylor, who recorded it on what would be his last album as a leader. This one is a catchy medium-up swinger with fun changes to blow on.
Finally, December 19th would have been the 94th birthday of master composer/valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. We have three newly added Brookmeyer songs, two of which are on his 1964 album "Tonight" co-led with Clark Terry. The lyrical, modal Hum is finally available as an instrumental lead sheet - we've had the vocal version You (lyric by Judy Niemack) up before. Also from "Tonight" is Pretty Girl, a deep, tender ballad also recorded a few months earlier on another classic album "Bob Brookmeyer And Friends." Carib, a festive Latin song in an unusual 3/2 meter, comes from Bob's 1978 quintet album "Back Again" featuring Thad Jones.