Search - Dorothy Ashby :: In a Minor Groove

Yes, there is such a thing as "jazz harp."

Calvin Stokes (theharper@aol.com) | Cleveland, Ohio (USA) | 09/14/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is actually a combination of 2 previously released LPs. It is unique in its flavor of straight-ahead jazz for the harp. The instrumentation is Harp, Flute, Bass, and Drums. While intonation is often a problem (as was generally the case in jazz at that time), the overall performance is amazingly merit-worthy, well beyond the novelty aspect. Dorothy's ability to improvise on the harp is still unmatched to this day. It is well worth the buy for anyone interested in the still-infant world of "Jazz Harp.""

Unique and beautiful jazz

Peter E. Johansen | 03/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I had to make a list of favorite obscure CDs this would surely be on it. I'd recommend this to just about anyone with an interest in jazz, especially since this is really two great albums compiled on one CD. I've never heard the harp played anything like this, like some sort of otherworldly guitar. And the flutist Frank Wess is wonderful as well. This is one I keep coming back to when I want to listen to something that just makes me feel good. The whole group just works together so well, at times approaching the lyrical intensity of just about anything I can think of short of Bill Evans. Roy Haynes (or Arthur Taylor) on drums is as always brilliant. I almost wonder why this isn't considered a jazz classic, and this certainly transcends any kind of novelty interest in a jazz harpist or a female jazz instrumentalist."