Sowing Vinyl & CDs

Review: Although her Afro Harping album might be more popular, legendary American harpist Dorothy Ashby's debut The Jazz Harpist is equally as essential. It was her debut record in 1957 on the Regent label and is a record which generally credits the Detroiter as being the first artist to translate harp to bebop and jazz in a real way. Traditionally more seen as an instrument associated with classical music, Ashby remove it from its genteel past and dropped it into a more modern and edgy context with stunning results. This glorious album is the best way to understand that transformation.