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Kenny Clarke
Born Jan 9, 1914 in Pittsburgh, PA
Died Jan 26, 1985 in Paris, France
Kenny
Clarke was a highly influential if subtle drummer who helped
to define bebop drumming. He was the first to shift the
time-keeping rhythm from the bass drum to the ride cymbal, an
innovation that has been copied and utilized by a countless number
of drummers since the early '40s.Clarke
played vibes, piano and trombone in addition to drums while in
school. After stints with Roy
Eldridge (1935) and the Jeter-Pillars
band, Clarke
joined Edgar
Hayes' Big Band (1937-38). He made his recording debut with Hayes
(which is available on a Classics CD) and showed that he was one
of the most swinging drummers of the era. A European tour with Hayes
gave Clarke
an opportunity to lead his own session, but doubling on vibes was
a definite mistake! Stints with the orchestras of Claude
Hopkins (1939) and Teddy
Hill (1940-41) followed and then Clarke
led the house band at Minton's Playhouse (which also included Thelonious
Monk). The legendary after-hours sessions led to the formation
of bop and it was during this time that Clarke
modernized his style and received the nickname "Klook-Mop"
(later shortened to "Klook") due to the irregular
"bombs" he would play behind soloists. A flexible
drummer, Clarke
was still able to uplift the more traditional orchestras of Louis
Armstrong and Ella
Fitzgerald (1941) and the combos of Benny Carter. Bio FromThe
All Music Guide
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