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Listen to John Kirby, watch music videos, read bio, see tour dates & more!

John Kirby

Jazz

View Artist

Top Songs By John Kirby

Listen to Charlie's Prelude by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Charlie's PreludeJohn Kirby
Listen to Beethoven Riffs On by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Beethoven Riffs OnJohn Kirby
Listen to Coquette by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
CoquetteJohn Kirby
Listen to Peanut Vendor by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Peanut VendorJohn Kirby
Listen to Sweet Georgia Brown (feat. John Kirby and His Orchestra) by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Sweet Georgia Brown (feat. John Kirby and His Orchestra)John Kirby
Listen to Bounce of the Sugar Plum Fairies by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Bounce of the Sugar Plum FairiesJohn Kirby
Listen to Double Talk (A Fugue) [feat. John Kirby and His Orchestra] by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Double Talk (A Fugue) [feat. John Kirby and His Orchestra]John Kirby
Listen to Soul Serenade by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Soul SerenadeJohn Kirby
Listen to Smooth by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
SmoothJohn Kirby
Listen to Electric Soul by John Kirby, see lyrics, music video & more!
Electric SoulJohn Kirby

Latest Release

Listen to Sharpie by John Kirby
ALBUMSharpieJohn Kirby

More albums from John Kirby

Listen to John Kirby (feat. John Kirby and His Orchestra) by John Kirby
ALBUMJohn Kirby (feat. John Kirby and His Orchestra)John Kirby
Listen to John Kirby 1941-1942 by John Kirby
ALBUMJohn Kirby 1941-1942John Kirby

About John Kirby

Listen to John Kirby, watch music videos, read bio, see tour dates & more!
Hometown
Winchester, VA, United States
Born
December 31, 1908
Genre
Jazz
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. With Maxine Sullivan (Kirby's wife at the time) offering occasional vocals, 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. The sextet gradually declined in the '40s. Spencer became ill and was replaced by Specs Powell and later Bill Beason, Kyle was drafted and Procope was replaced by George Johnson. By 1945, after with Shavers' departure to join Tommy Dorsey, the only original members still in the group were Bailey and Kirby himself. The following year the band disbanded and despite some attempts by the bassist to form another similar sextet (including a poorly attended Carnegie Hall reunion in 1950), John Kirby was never able to duplicate his earlier successes. Classics has reissued all of Kirby's prime recordings. ~ Scott Yanow

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John Kirby has also released music as a member of John Kirby Sextet, Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra, Chick Webb and His Orchestra, Buster Bailey & His Rhythm Busters, John Kirby & His Onyx Club Boys, The Chocolate Dandies, Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, Jack Sneed & His Sneezers, and John Kirby and His Orchestra.