[MRL 399] Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds of Joy - March 1936

1936


Personnel includes Ben Thigpen and Pha Terrell, Mary Lou Williams, Teddy Robinson, Teddy Donnelly, Dick Wilson


Side 1
Walkin' and swingin'
Moten swing
Lotta sax appeal
Git
All the jive is gone
Froggy bottom
Bearcat shuffle
Steppin' pretty
Christopher Columbus


Side 2
Corky
Corny rhythm
Overhand
Isabelle
I'se a muggin'
Until the real thing comes along
Swingin' for joy
Clean pickin'
Puddin' head serenade

Liner notes by Charles Fox.

né: Andrew "Andy" Dewey Kirk.
b. May 28, 1896, Newport, KY, USA, (raised in Colorado). d. Dec. 11, 1992, New York, New York, USA

Overview

In 1929, Kirk formed his band in Kansas City, and remained active until 1948. His band played a traditional form of Kansas City Jazz. Their pianist, and the band's arranger, was Mary Lou Williams, who went on to become one of the most influential American Jazz figures. Kirk was one of the earliest American bands to use the amplified guitar (listen to his recording of "Floyd's Guitar Blues"). One of the band's big hits was "Until The Real Thing Comes Along", a song first heard in the 1932 Revue 'Rhapsody in Black'. This 'Torch song' has long been known to Black audiences as "The Slave Song".

Andy was born and raised in Denver, CO. His teacher was Wilberforce Whiteman, father of Paul Whiteman. (Incidentally, Jimmy Lunceford was also trained by Wilberforce Whiteman. Wilberforce must have been a rather remarkable music teacher.) In 1921, Andy played tuba in George Morrison's Orch. in Denver, Colorado.

In 1925, he moved to Dallas, Texas, where he played (doubling on baritone and bass saxophones) with Terrence Holder's 'Dark Clouds of Joy' orchestra, and in 1928, Andy took over as leader of Holder's first orchestra, moving the band to Kansas City, MO, for an engagement at Kansas City's prestigious Pla-Mor Restaurant. (Terrence Holder took over George Corley's 'Royal Aces Orch.', for his 3rd "Clouds of Joy" band.) Andy played Bass Sax and Mary Lou Williams was the Pianist-arranger-soloist (her husband, John Williams was on alto saxophone). Other members included violinist Claude Williams and trumpeter Edgar "Puddinghead" Battle. The band was now known as "Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy Orchestra". During this period, he had such sidemen as: Ben Thigpen on drums, Howard McGhee, tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson, electric guitarist Floyd Smith, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Jimmy Forrest, Don Byas, "Fats" Navarro, and (briefly) Charlie Parker.

The 12 Clouds of Joy disbanded in 1948, following which, Andy went to California where he formed a new band, which disbanded in 1951. In 1952, Andy went to New York City, entering the real estate business, doing some part time gigs with pick-up groups. In 1958, he became mananger of the Hotel Theresa, in New York City, and served as an official in the Musicians' Union. .

Vocalist was Pha Terrell (a male vocalist - Pha - pronounced 'Fay', b. May 25, 1910, Kansas City, MO, USA, d. Oct. 14, 1945, Los Angeles, CA, USA), whose hit song, "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" helped put the band on the map. One of the great Kansas City bands.

Notes reproduced from http://nfo.net/usa/k2.html