Dorothy Ashby The Jazz Harpist (1957)

The Jazz Harpist is the debut album by jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby recorded in 1956 and released (1957) on the Regent label. Dorothy Jeanne Thompson (August 6, 1930 April 13, 1986), better known as Dorothy Ashby, was an American jazz harpist and composer. Ashby extended the popularization of jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly as much a bebop instrument as the saxophone. Her albums were of the jazz genre, but often moved into R B, world and other musics, especially on her 1970 album The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby, where she demonstrates her talents on another instrument, the Japanese koto, successfully integrating it into jazz. Dorothy Thompson grew up around music in Detroit where her father, guitarist Wiley Thompson, often brought home fellow jazz musicians. Even as a young girl, she would provide support and background to their music by playing the piano. She attended Cass Technical High School where fellow students included such future musical talents and ja