Peak Time – Brandee Younger and Zeena Parkins on Dorothy Ashby

Dorthy Ashby has been hailed as one of "the most unjustly under-loved jazz greats of the 1950s" by NPR, and her rarely noted, lasting impression on modern jazz is a testament to that statement. The Detroit-born harpist and composer realized that the harp's worth was well beyond its use as a background piece, and established the instrument as a prominent element in jazz compositions. In her deft hands, the harp evoked the bebop energy to challenge any reed, brass or percussion piece. The prolific artist released 11 solo albums, along with numerous collaborative efforts, but it was Ashby's 1968 release _Afro-Harping_ that stands out as her most important. This month marks the 50th anniversary of that record, and to celebrate we've invited two of today's leading jazz harpists, Brandee Younger and Zeena Parkins, to discuss Ashby's harp work, her impact on the genre of jazz and their own music.