Dorothy Ashby - Dorothy Ashby

Dorothy Ashby was one of the most innovative and overlooked figures in post-war jazz, transforming the harp from a novelty instrument into a vital voice in bebop and soul-jazz. Long before Alice Coltrane made the harp synonymous with spiritual jazz, Ashby had already shown its power as an improvising instrument, matching horns and rhythm sections with dazzling agility.

This self-titled album captures Ashby in full command of her art, blending elegance and rhythmic bite across a set that proves the harp could swing as hard as any saxophone or piano. While the title might suggest a debut, she had already released several records, including 1954’s The Jazz Harpist. Here, she pushes even further, crafting music that feels both unique and utterly at home in the jazz canon.