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American jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and influential figure in the bebop and hard bop movements. Kenny Dorham was a highly respected trumpeter, composer, and bandleader central to the bebop and hard bop eras. Known for his warm, lyrical, and harmonically sophisticated sound, he played alongside giants like Charlie Parker, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Sonny Rollins. Despite his immense talent and contributions, he often operated in the shadow of contemporaries like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Clifford Brown. He co-led the Jazz Prophets and was a founding member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Dorham was also a significant composer, penning jazz standards such as "Blue Bossa," "Una Mas," and "Lotus Blossom." He struggled with health issues, particularly kidney disease, throughout his later life, which contributed to his relatively early death.

• Dorham earned the nickname "Quiet Kenny" due to his reserved personality offstage, contrasting with his vibrant musical voice.
• He famously replaced Miles Davis in Charlie Parker's quintet in 1948, a testament to his standing among peers.
• His composition "Blue Bossa," featured on Joe Henderson's iconic album "Page One" (1963), became one of the most played jazz standards.
• Despite his critical acclaim, Dorham struggled financially throughout his career and never achieved the widespread fame or commercial success of some contemporaries.
• Dorham battled severe kidney disease (Bright's disease) for many years. This chronic illness significantly impacted his ability to work consistently in his final decade and was the direct cause of his death at age 48.