5 Facts About Andrew Hill's 'Dedication'

The track was originally titled “Cadaver.” Hill wrote it to express a feeling of great loss.

Trumpeter Kenny Dorham reportedly teared up hearing the playback. The emotional weight of the piece was immediate and powerful.

The title change from “Cadaver” to “Dedication” shifted the focus from death to tribute. This made the song more about honoring someone than mourning them.

The piece appears on Hill’s 1965 album “Point of Departure.” It remains one of his most celebrated compositions.

The original title reflects the raw grief Hill intended. The final title better captures the lasting respect the music conveys.