Riffin' – Kenny Dorham
A simple riff blues head with classic bebop rhythms. Like K.D.’s Blues it was first issued as a bonus track on “‘Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia.”
- Recording: Kenny Dorham - 'Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia
- Recorded on: May 31, 1956
- Label: Blue Note (BLP 1524)
- Concert Key: B-flat
- Vocal Range: , to
- Style: Swing (medium up)
- Trumpet - Kenny Dorham
- Tenor Sax - J.R. Monterose
- Guitar - Kenny Burrell
- Piano - Bobby Timmons
- Bass - Sam Jones
- Drums - Arthur Edgehill
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
A very simple blues riff—but with that rhythmic kick that defines many bebop and hard-bop blues heads. The melody really has only four notes, which form a B♭ minor 6th chord together—some call this the “sweet blues” scale with that “pretty” 6th. Our lead sheet includes the coda, which is similar to that of the other blues from this album, K.D.’s Blues.
Like K.D.’s Blues, Riffin’ was first issued on the CD release of “‘Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia.” It’s related to a riff that Miles Davis used as a shout chorus on the classic recording of Walkin’.
This album is the only recording of Kenny Dorham and Kenny Burrell together. In the two days before this performance, Burrell recorded “Introducing Kenny Burrell”, also for Blue Note, at Van Gelder Recording Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. The following week, he played on Billie Holiday’s classic Verve album “Lady Sings The Blues.”
This album is the only recording of Kenny Dorham and Kenny Burrell together. In the two days before this performance, Burrell recorded “Introducing Kenny Burrell”, also for Blue Note, at Van Gelder Recording Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. The following week, he played on Billie Holiday’s classic Verve album “Lady Sings The Blues.”
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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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