Kenny Clarke
Kenny Clarke was a highly influential if subtle drummer who helped to define bebop drumming. He was the first to shift the time-keeping rhythm from the bass drum to the ride cymbal, an innovation that has been copied and utilized by a countless number of drummers since the early '40s.
Clarke played vibes, piano and trombone in addition to drums while in school. After stints with Roy Eldridge (1935) and the Jeter-Pillars band, Clarke joined Edgar Hayes' Big Band (1937-38). He made his recording debut with Hayes (which is available on a Classics CD) and showed that he was one of the most swinging drummers of the era. A European tour with Hayes gave Clarke an opportunity to lead his own session, but doubling on vibes was a definite mistake! Stints with the orchestras of Claude Hopkins (1939) and Teddy Hill (1940-41) followed and then Clarke led the house band at Minton's Playhouse (which also included Thelonious Monk). The legendary after-hours sessions led to the formation of bop and it was during this time that Clarke modernized his style and received the nickname "Klook-Mop" (later shortened to "Klook") due to the irregular "bombs" he would play behind soloists. A flexible drummer, Clarke was still able to uplift the more traditional orchestras of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald (1941) and the combos of Benny Carter (1941-42), Red Allen and Coleman Hawkins; he also recorded with Sidney Bechet. However after spending time in the military, Clarke stayed in the bop field, working with Dizzy Gillespie's big band and leading his own modern sessions; he co-wrote "Epistrophy" with Monk and "Salt Peanuts" with Gillespie. Clarke spent the late '40s in Europe, was with Billy Eckstine in the U.S. in 1951 and became an original member of the Modern Jazz Quartet (1951-55). However he felt confined by the music and quit the MJQ to freelance, performing on an enormous amount of records during 1955-56.
In 1956 Clarke moved to France where he did studio work, was hired by touring American all-stars and played with Bud Powell and Oscar Pettiford in a trio called the Three Bosses (1959-60). Clarke was co-leader with Francy Boland of a legendary all-star big band (1961-72), one that had Kenny Clarke playing second drums! Other than a few short visits home, Kenny Clarke worked in France for the remainder of his life and was a major figure on the European jazz scene.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Jazz & Blues Christmas
Jazz - Released by Christmas Dreams on 11 nov. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Jazz Masters - Kenny Clarke, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Master Series on 25 mrt. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Jazz Masters - Kenny Clarke, Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by Master Series on 25 feb. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Dig You the Most
Jazz - Released by SantaJazzClause on 25 dec. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Introduction Of Kenny Burrell
Jazz - Released by Jazz Room on 1 jan. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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JazzOmatic, Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by JazzOmatic on 22 sep. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Legends, Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by Jazz For Life on 29 apr. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
There's No Business Like Show Business with Kenny Clarke, Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by Show Business on 16 apr. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year from Kenny Clarke, Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by White Christmas on 29 nov. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
There's No Business Like Show Business with Kenny Clarke, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Show Business on 23 apr. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Legends, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Jazz For Life on 13 mei 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Walking into the Paradigm
Electronic - Released by Kenny Clarke on 2 jun. 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The 12 Days of Christmas with Kenny Clarke, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by All I Have To Do Is Dream on 29 nov. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Milestones: Kenny Clarke, Vol. 7
Jazz - Released by 21-Music on 10 okt. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Heritage: Kenny Clarke
Jazz - Released by Timeless Jazz on 6 mrt. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Milestones: Kenny Clarke, Vol. 5
Jazz - Released by 21-Music on 10 okt. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
On the Terrace
Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Clarke
Jazz - Released by Terrace on 26 jan. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fruit Plate
Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Clarke
Jazz - Released by Fruit Plates on 6 apr. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo