Xocoyotzin's Harp Homage To Dorothy Ashby

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - The swinging, elaborate arpeggios of jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby have always been an influence for Rey Fresco's Xocoyotzin "Xoco" Moraza.

But where Ashby played a classical concert harp, Xoco's 36-string Veracruz harp - handmade by his father with custom strings - leads Rey Fresco like a rock guitar. "Dorothy," a song named in Ashby's honor, appears on the band's forthcoming debut album 'The People' (11.10, Eight O Five).

On it, Xoco's harp creeps through the "cakewalk," joining forces with Andrew Jones's propulsive drums at the bridge.

The song unfolds with lyrics like "Hard times in the city/Things ain't working right/I'm trying to find my own," exploring the social and economic inequalities within the urban landscape - perhaps another nod to Ashby, who grew up in Depression-locked 1930s Detroit.
Listen to "Dorothy" here: https://bit.ly/ReyFrescoDorothy
www.reyfresco.com