Search - Kenny Dorham :: This Is the Moment

Review of Kenny Dorham's 'This Is The Moment'

01/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is the opinion of this fan of Kenny Dorham's music that in addition to being a key voice in the lineage of jazz trumpeters, that Kenny also joins the likes of Louis and Chet Baker as being a great vocalist as well. And Like Louis and Chet, Kenny's singing is just like his trumpet playing. Louis's singing reflected his playing in that both voice and trumpet had signature sounds to them that contained similar melodic content and were both equally enjoyable to hear. Chet's singing and playing both had a very innocent and pure sound to them. Just as Kenny's playing was always very strong in the technical sense, so is his singing unlike the vocals of Louis and Chet, both of whom were not trained as singers. Second, Kenny's singing is as permeated with the blues as are his vocals (i.e. 'Since I Fell For You' and 'Make Me a Present of You'). However, he also interprets the lyrics to standards like 'Autumn Leaves' and 'This Is the Moment' with the same tenderness that he uses as an instrumentalist."