Dorham was one of the most active bebop trumpeters. He played in the big bands of Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Mercer Ellington and the quintet of Charlie Parker. He was a charter member of the original cooperative Jazz Messengers. He also recorded as a sideman with Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins, and he replaced Clifford Brown in the Max Roach Quintet after Brown's death in 1956. In addition to sideman work, he led his own groups, including the Jazz Prophets (formed shortly after Art Blakey took over the Jazz Messengers name). The Jazz Prophets can be heard on the 1956 Blue Note live album Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia.
Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did. For this reason, his name has become (in the words of writer Gary Giddins) "virtually synonymous with 'underrated.'"
During his final years Dorham suffered from kidney disease, of which he died.
Mack The Knife
Kenny Dorham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it, ah, out of sight
Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe
So there’s never, never a trace of red
Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
And someone’s sneakin' ‘round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river dontcha know
Where a cement bag’s just a'drooppin' on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky’s back in town
Now d'ja hear ‘bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town
I said Jenny Diver, whoa, Sukey Tawdry
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky’s back in town
Look out, old Macky's back!!
Kenny Dorham's song "Mack the Knife" tells the story of a notorious criminal named MacHeath. The opening line describes the shark as having teeth so white that they become as visible as pearls. In comparison, MacHeath's weapon of choice is just a jackknife that he always keeps concealed. When the shark bites, it is followed by a trail of blood. In contrast, when MacHeath strikes, there's "never a trace of red" left behind since he wears fancy gloves. This line gives the listener insight into MacHeath's cunning and calculated nature.
The second stanza goes on to describe a murder that has taken place on the street, and suggests that MacHeath could be the prime suspect. The third stanza explains that MacHeath has returned to town, and the people he has conned, including Louie Miller, are left wondering if their money was his most recent target. The final verse lists several women who have all fallen for MacHeath's charm, and now that he is back in town, a line is beginning to form. Through this song, Dorham not only tells a story but also depicts the character and the reputation of MacHeath within his lyrical composition.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
The shark referred to here is someone with a cold and menacing personality that shouldn't be trifled with.
And it shows them pearly white
This refers to the fact that the person in question has a charming personality and can win you over with their smile.
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
MacHeath, the character in question, prides himself on being able to get things done with minimal fuss, just like a jackknife.
And he keeps it, ah, out of sight
MacHeath likes to keep his actions and intentions hidden from plain sight, likely due to their illicit nature.
Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
This is a warning that when the cold and menacing personality of the shark comes through, it is something to be feared and avoided.
Scarlet billows start to spread
When things go south, they tend to escalate quickly and violently.
Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe
MacHeath is someone who takes pride in his appearance and likes to look good, even when committing nefarious acts.
So there’s never, never a trace of red
This means that MacHeath is very careful and meticulous in his actions so that there is no evidence of his crimes.
Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
This is the start of a new verse and sets the scene for a discovery that is made.
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
A dead body is lying on the sidewalk, and it is oozing blood and other bodily fluids, indicating a violent death.
And someone’s sneakin' ‘round the corner
Someone is lurking around the corner, potentially trying to avoid being caught for their actions.
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
The lyrics pose a question as to whether the person responsible for the death is MacHeath, the character introduced in the first verse.
There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river dontcha know
This line sets the scene for another instance where something is about to happen.
Where a cement bag’s just a'drooppin' on down
A bag of cement is being dropped into the river, indicating that something is being disposed of.
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
The reason for the cement bag is to weigh down something that is being disposed of, like a body.
Five'll get ya ten old Macky’s back in town
This means that MacHeath is back in town, potentially after being away for a while, and suggests that people should be wary.
Now d'ja hear ‘bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
This line introduces another character, Louie Miller, who has gone missing, potentially at the hands of MacHeath.
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
Louie Miller had withdrawn a large sum of money before he went missing.
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
This line suggests that MacHeath has a lot of money to throw around after Louie Miller's disappearance and that he is spending it freely.
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
This line is a question posed about MacHeath, suggesting that he may have done something drastic or illegal to acquire the wealth he is now flaunting.
Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry
This line names several characters who likely interact with MacHeath in some way.
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
These are two more women who are known to associate with MacHeath.
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
This line is referencing a line or queue forming, likely for some sort of event or interaction with MacHeath.
I said Jenny Diver, whoa, Sukey Tawdry
The names of the previously mentioned women are repeated, further solidifying their connection to the events of the song.
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
This is a warning to be on the lookout for Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown, as they are known to be involved with MacHeath and could potentially be dangerous.
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
This is another reference to the line that is forming, potentially leading to some sort of confrontation with MacHeath.
Look out, old Macky's back!!
This line is a warning that MacHeath is back in town and people should be careful when dealing with him.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERTOLT BRECHT, EUGEN BERTHOLD BRECHT, KURT WEILL, MARC BLITZSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelly Brown
The marvelous trumpet style of the great Kenny Dorham. Boy, how I wish I could play my horn so beautifully.
Abraham Palmer
Marvelous