Trompeta Toccata
Encyclopedia
Trompeta Toccata is a 1964 jazz album by trumpeter Kenny Dorham
. It was released on Blue Note label in 1964 as BST 84181. It was remastered by Rudy Van Gelder
in 2006. Trompeta Toccata, as the previous Una Mas, features only four pieces, three of which were written by Dorham himself. They are mostly fast bop
pieces featuring long trumpet and saxophones solos. Like many Dorham compositions, they incorporate elements of Latin music
and blues. Trompeta Toccata is recognized as one of Dorham's most enduring works, recorded in his most prolific and inspired period; many critics expected an even greater followup. This one, however, never came since Trompeta Toccata was his last appearance as a leader, and, as Bob Blumenthal points out in his liner notes, "the remainder of Dorhams' recorded career was confined to sideman appearances that can be counted on the fingers of one hand".
and photographer Francis Wolff
began to move to rhythm. "The Fox" has a 12-8-12 bars structure and is a sort of look to the past, since, in his boyhood, Dorham used to trap foxes for hides. According to Dorham, the piece was so titled also because of Richard Davis' "fox-like look".
Kenny Dorham
McKinley Howard Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer born in Fairfield, Texas. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did...
. It was released on Blue Note label in 1964 as BST 84181. It was remastered by Rudy Van Gelder
Rudy Van Gelder
Rudy Van Gelder is an American recording engineer specializing in jazz.Often regarded as one of the most important recording engineers in music history, Van Gelder has recorded several thousand jazz sessions, including many widely recognized as classics, in a career spanning more than half a century...
in 2006. Trompeta Toccata, as the previous Una Mas, features only four pieces, three of which were written by Dorham himself. They are mostly fast bop
Hard bop
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz which incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano...
pieces featuring long trumpet and saxophones solos. Like many Dorham compositions, they incorporate elements of Latin music
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
and blues. Trompeta Toccata is recognized as one of Dorham's most enduring works, recorded in his most prolific and inspired period; many critics expected an even greater followup. This one, however, never came since Trompeta Toccata was his last appearance as a leader, and, as Bob Blumenthal points out in his liner notes, "the remainder of Dorhams' recorded career was confined to sideman appearances that can be counted on the fingers of one hand".
The pieces
Dorham felt very satisfied working with these musicians - Henderson, Flanagan, Davis and especially Heath - "he always kept the soloist sparked up". About Henderson, he stated "He never fails to excite me[...]. For instance, after I played him the melody of "Trompeta Toccata", he wrote the chords for it. And what he wrote is what I heard in my own ear". Dorham chose the title Trompeta Toccata "since the term "toccata" comes from a Latin language base, and since the song is in 6/8 with an Afro-Latin feeling; it seemed logical to make the whole title Latin". According to Dorham, "Night Watch", a bluesy piece, speaks of the night and darkness; "It's very late at night, and the mood is what comes when you're alone at that time". "Mamacita" is a 12-bars bossa nova. During its recording, Dorham recalls that once they got started on it, they were caught on fire; even Blue Note producer Alfred LionAlfred Lion
Alfred Lion was a Jewish German-born American record executive who co-founded Blue Note Records in 1939 Blue Note recorded many of the biggest names in jazz throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.-Biography:...
and photographer Francis Wolff
Francis Wolff
Francis Wolff was a record company executive, photographer and record producer....
began to move to rhythm. "The Fox" has a 12-8-12 bars structure and is a sort of look to the past, since, in his boyhood, Dorham used to trap foxes for hides. According to Dorham, the piece was so titled also because of Richard Davis' "fox-like look".
Track listing
All tracks composed by Kenny Dorham, except where noted.- "Trompeta Toccata" 12:21
- "Night Watch" 5:44
- "Mamacita" (Joe Henderson) 11:02
- "The Fox" 7:59
Personnel
- Kenny DorhamKenny DorhamMcKinley Howard Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer born in Fairfield, Texas. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did...
- trumpet - Tommy FlanaganTommy FlanaganThomas Lee Flanagan was an American jazz pianist born in Detroit, Michigan, particularly remembered for his work with Ella Fitzgerald...
- piano - Joe HendersonJoe HendersonJoe Henderson was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than forty years Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent labels, including Blue Note.-Early life:From a very large family with five sisters and nine...
- tenor saxophone - Richard Davis - double bass
- Albert Heath - drums