Kirby, John - John Kirby and His Orchestra 1939-1941 (Mega Blowout Sale)

SKU 31-GJ 53243
Like Raymond Scott at around the same time, Kirby's music was unusually virtuosic and quietly avant-garde. Conditionally tremendously recommended.

"John Kirby led a most unusual group during the height of the big-band era, a sextet comprised of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey, altoist Russell Procope, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer O'Neil Spencer, and his own bass. Although Shavers and Bailey could be quite extroverted, the tightly arranged ensembles tended to be very cool-toned and introverted yet virtuosic.
Kirby, originally a tuba player, switched to bass in 1930 when he joined Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. He was one of the better bassists of the '30s, playing with Henderson (1930-1933 and 1935-1936) and Chick Webb's big band (1933-1935).
By 1937, Kirby had his own group at the Onyx Club; Frankie Newton and Pete Brown passed through the band before the personnel was set and the John Kirby Sextet was quite popular during 1938-1942. Shavers' "Undecided" became a hit and the band's abilities to "swing the classics" caught on."-AllMusic

Here they are rockin' the house
  • LabelGiants Of Jazz
  • UPC8004883532438
Your Price $4.00
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating

I bought this CD on a whim because the description compared the band and music to Raymond Scott and his "Quintette" — plus it was priced so low that I could not resist adding it to the other CDs I was ordering. I really like it! I recommend it to anyone else who, like me, enjoys the music of not only Raymond Scott, but also Fats Waller and the big band of Cab Calloway. Catchy stuff that is quirky in all the best ways.
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