Kenny Dorham – Afro-Cuban

This album is the first flowering of Kenny Dorham as a significant trumpet stylist and composer. Using the newly formed Jazz Messengers as the core of these ensembles, Dorham crafted Latin pieces like "Minor's Holiday" and "Lotus Flower," which would quickly become jazz standards. The large ensemble tracks with J. J. Johnson and driven by Patato Valdes's congas are especially effective. An additional tune and an alternate take from the sessions are included.

Personnel on tracks 1-4, 9: KENNY DORHAM - trumpset J. J. JOHNSON - trombone HANK MOBLEY - tenor sax CECIL PAYNE - baritone sax HORACE SILVER - piano OSCAR PETTIFORD - bass ART BLAKEY - drums CARLOS "PATATO" VALDES - congas RICHIE GOLDBERG - cowbell Personnel on tracks 5-8: KENNY DORHAM - trumpet

HANK MOBLEY- tenor sax

CECIL PAYNE - baritone sax

HORACE SILVER - piano

PERCY HEATH - bass

ART BLAKEY - drums

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