Newport News – Kenny Dorham
Originally recorded by Chico Hamilton’s quintet, this lively medium swinger is in the rarely explored key of B major. We have duet and solo piano editions available a half step lower in B♭ major as well.
- Recording: Chico Hamilton - The Three Faces Of Chico
- Recorded on: February 25, 1959
- Label: Warner Brothers (WB 1344)
- Concert Key: B
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Alto Sax - Eric Dolphy
- Guitar - Dennis Budimir
- Cello - Nate Gershman
- Bass - Wyatt Ruther
- Drums - Chico Hamilton
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
Kenny Dorham didn’t record Newport News himself, but it’s a great example of his style—combining bebop vocabulary with more lyrical lines and clever harmonic detail. This one is a bit more straightforward than some other Dorham compositions, but in an unusual key: B major. The A section changes of this AABC song have a circle-of-4ths progression similar to that found in several standards, with a few slick substitutions that are a K.D. trademark. The bridge goes to E major, followed by a “walk down” from A minor.
Chico Hamilton recorded this song with an intricate arrangement, but it certainly works as a melody with changes as shown in our lead sheet. The lead sheet includes notable chord hits that complement the melody.
A solo piano arrangement is available—click on Piano Corner for more details. Also check out Don Sickler’s duo arrangement (second album cover). Both of these are a half step down in B♭.
Chico Hamilton recorded this song with an intricate arrangement, but it certainly works as a melody with changes as shown in our lead sheet. The lead sheet includes notable chord hits that complement the melody.
A solo piano arrangement is available—click on Piano Corner for more details. Also check out Don Sickler’s duo arrangement (second album cover). Both of these are a half step down in B♭.
The five Chico Hamilton quintet albums, including this one, featuring Eric Dolphy were some of the latter’s earliest small-group studio recordings. Dolphy also played with Hamilton at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. Two years later, Kenny Dorham recorded (on piano) alongside Dolphy for one track on a compilation issued as “Newport Rebels”—referring to a performance organized that year by Charles Mingus, also in Newport, Rhode Island, in protest of the Newport Jazz Festival’s more commercial program. The “Newport Rebels” session also included Dorham’s Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah.
Kenny Dorham wrote quite a few songs in the more obscure keys—check out La Mesha for another in B major, as well as Horn Salute in G♭ major and Sunset in C♯ minor.
Kenny Dorham wrote quite a few songs in the more obscure keys—check out La Mesha for another in B major, as well as Horn Salute in G♭ major and Sunset in C♯ minor.
A Solo Piano Arrangement is available by Walter Davis, Jr. This arrangement is a half step lower than the recording in the more familiar key of B♭ major. The melody is stated clearly and punctuated by two-handed voicings. There’s an unusual passing chord in the sixth measure of the bridge: from the bottom up G, F, D♭, A, C. It’s a G minor 11th with a flat 5th but no 3rd—shown as G11♭5—with the D♭ voice-leading down to C, the flat 5th of G♭7.
Related Songs
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- Recording: Don Sickler - DUETS
- Recorded on: April 2, 2017
- Label: jazzleadsheets.com (JLS 1031)
- Concert Key: B-flat
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Trumpets - Don Sickler
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
This duet version of Newport News is in B♭ major, a half step down from the original Chico Hamilton recording—a more manageable key especially for horn players. The second part mostly harmonizes the first part melody, with a little counterpoint. Minus You tracks are available with each part of the duet alone. MP3 tracks illustrate two different tempos.
These duet editions are a great opportunity for melody instrumentalists to practice playing harmony and counterpoint. Check out our other duets. More coming soon!
Related Songs
Email Send Newport News to a friend
Send this page to a friend via email. Add your name or email in the first field. In the second, add one or more email addresses, separated by a comma.
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...
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