Bombay – Kenny Dorham
One of Kenny Dorham's first recorded compositions, this medium "rhythm changes" head is built out of the bebop vocabulary that defined his early style.
- Recording: Sonny Stitt - New Trends Of Jazz, vol. 8
- Recorded on: August 23, 1946
- Label: Savoy (XP 8044)
- Concert Key: B-flat
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Trumpet - Kenny Dorham
- Alto Sax - Sonny Stitt
- Piano - Bud Powell
- Bass - Al Hall
- Drums - Wallace Bishop
A swinging "rhythm changes" head at a bouncy medium tempo. The melodic lines, equal parts bluesy and bebop, are characteristic of Kenny Dorham's early vocabulary as a soloist. The A section melody is built around a variant of "rhythm changes" that rises and falls chromatically with diminished passing chords, with a hip IVm-I cadence on the first two beats of the last measure. There is no melody on the bridge; alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt solos here on the recording.
There is an improvised intro on the recording, not included in our lead sheet. Sonny Stitt plays four measures alone (launched by a drum hit on the downbeat); pianist Bud Powell then plays four measures to set up the melody.
Due no doubt to the time limitation of the 78rpm format, the out head on this recording is shortened—just two A sections with a final variation of the last measure. We indicate D.C. on our lead sheet to play the entire head out.
There is an improvised intro on the recording, not included in our lead sheet. Sonny Stitt plays four measures alone (launched by a drum hit on the downbeat); pianist Bud Powell then plays four measures to set up the melody.
Due no doubt to the time limitation of the 78rpm format, the out head on this recording is shortened—just two A sections with a final variation of the last measure. We indicate D.C. on our lead sheet to play the entire head out.
Sonny Stitt's 45 rpm "New Trends Of Jazz, vol.8" was the first release of Kenny's earliest recorded compositions, Bombay and Fool's Fancy.
These two songs were initially released as one side of a 7-inch LP, "New Trends Of Jazz." Four songs were recorded in the morning session with this lineup, and four more in the afternoon on the same day with Kenny Clarke on drums replacing Wallace Bishop. All eight songs were first released together in 1978 on the compilation "The Bebop Boys."
These two songs were initially released as one side of a 7-inch LP, "New Trends Of Jazz." Four songs were recorded in the morning session with this lineup, and four more in the afternoon on the same day with Kenny Clarke on drums replacing Wallace Bishop. All eight songs were first released together in 1978 on the compilation "The Bebop Boys."
Kenny Dorham
August 30, 1924 – December 15, 1972
August 30, 2025, is Kenny Dorham's 101st birthday: jazzleadsheets.com has added many new K.D. compositions. Jazz At Lincoln Center has dedicated three late-night sets to Kenny's music, played with love by young musicians who want his music to live on. Join in, play K.D. music! Read more...