MUSICIAN

Dorothy Ashby

1932 - 1986

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Dorothy Jeanne Thompson (August 6, 1932 – April 13, 1986), better known as Dorothy Ashby, was an American jazz harpist, singer and composer. Hailed as one of the most "unjustly under loved jazz greats of the 1950s" and the "most accomplished modern jazz harpist," Ashby established the harp as an improvising jazz instrument, beyond earlier use as a novelty or background orchestral instrument, proving the harp could play bebop as adeptly as the instruments commonly associated with jazz, such as the saxophone or piano. Ashby had to overcome many obstacles during the pursuit of her career. As an African-American female musician in a male-dominated industry, she was at a disadvantage. Read more on Wikipedia

Her biography is available in 16 different languages on Wikipedia (up from 15 in 2024). Dorothy Ashby is the 2,352nd most popular musician (down from 2,295th in 2024), the 12,844th most popular biography from United States (down from 12,200th in 2019) and the 961st most popular American Musician.

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Among MUSICIANS

Among musicians, Dorothy Ashby ranks 2,352 out of 3,175. Before her are Al Pitrelli, Steve Coleman, William Orbit, Pata, Harry Carney, and Ian Mosley. After her are Big Joe Williams, Roope Latvala, John Dankworth, Michael Romeo, Buzz Osborne, and Mustard.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 1932, Dorothy Ashby ranks 545. Before her are Alexander Goehr, Andrea Mead Lawrence, Jackie Henderson, Bob Lutz, Slide Hampton, and Kishori Amonkar. After her are Clyde McPhatter, Duke Pearson, Daniel Kleppner, Dennis Skinner, Tina Brooks, and Tim Parnell. Among people deceased in 1986, Dorothy Ashby ranks 292. Before her are Virginia Gregg, Anna Neagle, Robert Helpmann, James Gentle, Smita Patil, and Hank Greenberg. After her are Roberto Hodge, Richard van der Riet Woolley, Helen Mack, Dinny Pails, Adolph Caesar, and Gian-Carlo Coppola.

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In United States

Among people born in United States, Dorothy Ashby ranks 12,853 out of 20,380. Before her are Harry Carney (1910), David Singmaster (1938), William Kennedy (1928), William Hootkins (1948), Roger Revelle (1909), Nicky Katt (1970), Daws Butler (1916), Henry Warner Slocum (1827), Rusty Wailes (1926), Pat Crowley (1933), and Emma Caulfield (1973). After her are Diane Neal (1976).

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Among MUSICIANS In United States

Among musicians born in United States, Dorothy Ashby ranks 961. Before her are Jimmy Webb (1946), Jimmy Rogers (1924), Jimmy Chamberlin (1964), Al Pitrelli (1962), Steve Coleman (1956), and Harry Carney (1910). After her are Big Joe Williams (1903), Michael Romeo (1968), Buzz Osborne (1964), Mustard (1990), Jerry Harrison (1949), and Meredith Brooks (1958).

American born Musicians

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