About Don Kirkpatrick
Hometown
Charlotte, NC, United States
Born
June 17, 1905
Genre
Pop
A decent pianist who was a talented arranger, Don Kirkpatrick kept busy during the swing era. As a player, he was best-known for his longtime association with Chick Webb (off and on during 1927-1937) and Don Redman (1933-1937). Kirkpatrick, who also worked with Harry White, Elmer Snowden, Zutty Singleton, and Mezz Mezzrow, became a freelance arranger after leaving Webb. He wrote arrangements for many bands, including those of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Cootie Williams. Don Kirkpatrick (who never led his own band or record date) remained active as a player during the post-swing years, playing with Bunk Johnson (1947), Sidney Bechet (1951), Wilbur DeParis' New New Orleans Jazz Band (1952-1955), and Doc Cheatham (late 1955) before dying at the age of 50 from pneumonia. ~ Scott Yanow
