Andy Kirk

Dewey Andrew (Andy) Kirk ( Newport , May 28, 1898 - New York , 11 December 1992 ) was an American jazz - saxophonist , tuba player and big band -leider from theswing era. He is known as the leader of the Twelve Clouds of Joy .

Kirk grew up in Denver, where he was taught by the father of Paul Whiteman , Wilberforce Whiteman . He began his musical career as bassaxofonist and tuba player in the band of George Morrison . He then joined Terrence Holders Dark Clouds of Joy. In 1929, he was after the departure of Holder, the new leader of this group. The band was renamed Twelve Clouds of Joy and then played in a ballroom in Kansas . It also made ​​the company the same year the first recordings for Brunswick, with pianistMary Lou Williams . The pianist, saxophonist Kirk's wife of John Williams, was impressed and from 1931 became an official member of the band, where they would play until 1942. Her contribution, compositions and arrangements, was very important for the orchestra and also contributed to its success.

Twelve Clouds of Joy was after the band Bennie Moten second group from Kansas who gained national prominence. The orchestra toured regularly on the west and east coast and had a first big hit in 1936 with Until the Real Thing Comes Along, with vocals by Pha Terrell . Then followed several other hits. So I took Will not Tell You (I Love You) in 1938 and the first in 1940, Now I Lay Me Down to Dream go to number 19. In 1942 took Kirk and his group Take It and Git, that in October first became number one in the new Harlem Hit Parade . In 1943 the band took fourth place with the plate Hey Lawdy Mama, sung by June Richmond .

At Twelve Clouds of Joy played for any period of time known jazz musicians such as saxophonists Ben Webster , Don Byas , Dick Wilson , Buddy Tate and Charlie Parker, and trumpeters Fats Navarro and Harold Shorty Baker .

In 1948 Kirk defunct the orchestra. He then still made music he had in the early fifties and a band in the seventies, he led an occasional group. Finally he sought his fortune beyond the music: he worked in hotel management and was active in the real estate sector.

Discography (selection) [ edit ]

 * Andy Kirk 1929-1931, Classics
 * Andy Kirk 1936-1937, Classics
 * Andy Kirk 1937-1938, Classics
 * Andy Kirk 1938 Classics
 * Andy Kirk 1939-1940, Classics
 * Andy Kirk 1940-1942, Classics
 * The Twelve Clouds of Joy with Mary Lou Williams (compilation), Living Era
 * Clouds from the Southwest, RCA, 1956
 * A Mellow Bit of Rhythm, RCA, 1957
 * New Orleans Jump, Sounds of Yester Year