Ashby, Dorothy: Four Classic Albums Plus (2xCD)

Dorothy Ashby was an American jazz harpist, one of the very few who used her instrument to play credible jazz and bebop. First studying as a pianist at Wayne State University and later, in 1952, switching to harp. She recorded eleven albums for different jazz labels, like Savoy and Prestige. Dorothy also guested as a studio player on albums with Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder and many more.

AVID Jazz presents four classic Dorothy Ashby albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. Jazz Harpist, Hip Harp, In A Minor Groove, Dorothy Ashby plus 5 tracks from Soft Winds.

Dorothy Ashby was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1932 and began playing the piano at age eleven. She began taking an interest in the harp while at High School and later at University she was the harp accompanist to the choir and played harp with a concert band and orchestra. Of course the harp was not considered a jazz instrument when Ashby began her career and she can pretty much lay claim to being the first musician to play the harp as a solo instrument in the jazz arena.

In fact on her first album The Jazz Harpist, she can also be acclaimed as a fine writer and arranger as well. Here she is joined by long time musical collaborator Frank Wess on flute, Eddie Jones on bass, Wendell Marshall also on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. For Hip Harp, Dot is again joined by Frank Wess on flute alongside Herman Wright on bass and Arthur Taylor on drums. In A Minor Groove contains all tunes set in.....a minor key! Similar to Hip Harp also featuring Frank Wess on flute, this is jazz of the more subtle and relaxed variety. Also featured are Herman Wright again on bass and Roy Haynes on drums. The last paragraph from the original liner notes neatly sums up the album and playing. 'This album not only reiterates that jazz can be played with emotion by the 'quieter' instruments but demonstrates that a complete set of minor key tunes does not become wearing.......the minor is a constant stimulus to the ear...'

For the self titled Dorothy Ashby recorded in Chicago in 1961, Dotty is accompanied by Herman Wright again on bass and John Tooley on drums. Here is a selection of Ashby compositions and classic covers from the likes of John Lewis, Ellington, Strayhorn and Neal Hefti. Another quote from the original liner notes may help explain the sound of jazz led by a harpist. 'This is not hard jazz. This is an album that says jazz can, after all, be melodic, that can be gentle without being weak and can be sweet without being saccharine. What is done here is done well, the improvisation is creative, and in typical Dorothy Ashby thinking- it's done in beautiful taste. She is indeed a jazz harpist, and she does swing'. Don't be afraid to listen for yourselves, you may be pleasantly surprised!. All four albums plus have been digitally re-mastered.

1. Thou Swell
2. Stella By Starlight
3. Dancing On The Ceiling
4. Aeolian Groove
5. Quietude
6. Spicy
7. Lamentation
8. Pawky
9. Moonlight In Vermont
10. Back Talk
11. Dancing In The Dark
12. Charmaine
13. Jollity
14. There's A Small Hotel
15. Rascallity
16. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
17. It's A Minor Thing
18. Yesterdays
19. Bohemia After Dark
20. Taboo
21. Autumn In Rome
22. Alone Together
23. Lonely Melody
24. Secret Love
25. Gloomy Sunday
26. Satin Doll
27. John R
28. Li'l Darlin'
29. Booze
30. Django
31. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
32. Stranger In Paradise
33. The Man I Love
34. My Ship
35. Love Is Here To Stay
36. I've Never Been In Love Before
37. Laura