Sky Blue – Kenny Dorham
A simple, poetic minor blues head that deserves wider recognition. It was first recorded on a Swedish TV broadcast during Kenny Dorham’s trip to Scandinavia in 1963-1964.
- Recording: Kenny Dorham - Sky Blue
- Recorded on: 1963
- Label: Swedish TV ()
- Concert Key: F minor
- Style: Swing (medium up)
- Trumpet - Kenny Dorham
- Piano - Goran Lindberg
- Bass - Goran Pettersson
- Drums - Leif Wennerstrom
Video
- Kenny Dorham playing SKY BLUE with Swedish musicians on his 1963-1964 Scandanavian tour, captured for a TV broadcast.
Poetic and simple, Sky Blue distills the essence of Kenny Dorham’s style into a concise minor blues head. The melody focuses on upper extensions—mostly 11ths, ending on the 9th of the tonic chord. Piano hits are shown below the staff that complement the melody. The original recording starts with a four-measure drum intro.
This song comes from Kenny Dorham’s trip to Scandinavia in late 1963 and early 1964. The first recording was on a TV broadcast in Stockholm, Sweden; there’s also a bootleg live recording of Kenny playing this song in Oslo, Norway. For another song from this tour check out Dorham’s Epitaph / Extension.
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...