Dorothy Ashby | Artist
Dorothy Jeanne Thompson aka Dorothy Ashby was an American jazz harpist born 1930 in Detroit, Michigan. Her unique and innovative approach to the harp helped her carve out a distinctive niche in the world of jazz music. She is hailed by jazz aficionados as one of the most unjustly under-appreciated jazz greats of the 1950s. Ashby began playing the piano at a young age before transitioning to the harp, an instrument rarely seen in jazz at the time. Ashby's music blended elements of jazz, soul, and even classical music, creating a sound that was both sophisticated and accessible. She was a masterful improviser, proving the harp could play bebop as adeptly as instruments such as the saxophone or piano. Throughout her career, Ashby released a series of acclaimed albums, including The Jazz Harpist and Dorothy's Harp, which showcased her virtuosic playing and compositional skills. Her albums were of the jazz genre, but often moved into R&B, world music and other styles, especially her 1970 album The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby, where she demonstrates her talents on another non-traditional instrument, the Japanese koto. She also collaborated with many prominent musicians of the time, such as John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Freddie Hubbard, further solidifying her reputation. In addition to her work as a performer, Ashby was a trailblazer for women in jazz. She faced discrimination and prejudice as a black woman in a predominantly male and white-dominated industry, but she persevered and made an enduring impact on the genre. As a recording artist Ashby released 12 studio albums between the years 1956-1984, including collaborations with saxophonist and flautist Frank Wess. Standouts include her first five albums: The Jazz Harpist (1957), Hip Harp (1958), In a Minor Groove (1959), Soft Winds (1961), and Dorothy Ashby (1962). Afro-Harping (1968) and The Rubáiyát of Dorothy Ashby (1970) are also highly recommended. Since her passing in 1983 at the age of 53, Ashby's work has been reappraised by contemporary musicians, receiving remix treatments by the likes of Belle and Sebastian, Bonobo, Future Islands, and Flying Lotus. By coincidence, fellow african-american jazz musician Alice Coltrane, who also played the harp, attended the same school as Ashby, Cass Technical School in Detroit, graduating a decade after her predecessor.
Artist Website: wikipedia/Dorothy_Ashby
Featured Albums: Dorothy Ashby
Related Artists: Frank Wess
