Andy Kirk (musician)

Life and career

Kirk grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he received tutoring from Wilberforce Whiteman, Paul Whiteman's father. He began his musical career with George Morrison's band before joining Terrence Holder's Dark Clouds of Joy. After Holder left in 1929, Kirk was elected leader, renamed the group Clouds of Joy, and moved the band from Dallas, Texas, to Kansas City, Missouri. The band, also known as the Twelve Clouds of Joy due to its number of musicians, established itself at the Pla-Mor Ballroom on the junction of 32nd Street and Main Street in Kansas City.

That same year they made their first recording for Brunswick Records. Mary Lou Williams joined as pianist at the last moment and impressed Brunswick's Dave Kapp, becoming a permanent member. After initial recordings in 1929–1930, the band grew popular as an epitome of the Kansas City jazz sound. In mid-1936, Kirk signed with Decca and produced many popular records until 1946.

He presumably disbanded and reformed his band during a six-year recording layoff, as his 1929–1930 Brunswick recordings appeared to sell well enough to remain in the catalog through that period, with 1933-34 pressings observed. In 1938, Kirk and his band held the top spot on the Your Hit Parade chart for 12 weeks with 'I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You)', featuring Pha Terrell on vocals. In 1942, 'Take It and Git' became the first single to hit number one on the Harlem Hit Parade, the predecessor to the Billboard R&B chart. In 1943, with June Richmond on vocals, he had a number 4 hit with 'Hey Lawdy Mama'.

Clouds of Joy

The band at various times included Buddy Tate, Claude Williams, Pha Terrell, John Williams, Bill Coleman, Ken Kersey, Dick Wilson, Don Byas, 'Shorty' Baker, Howard McGhee, Jimmy Forrest, Ben Smith, Fats Navarro, Charlie Parker (briefly), Reuben Phillips, Ben Thigpen, Henry Wells, Milt Robinson, Floyd Smith, Hank Jones, Johnny Lynch, Joe Williams, Big Jim Lawson, Gino Murray and Joe Evans. Their pianist and arranger was Mary Lou Williams, who became a prominent figure in jazz. In 1948, Kirk disbanded the Clouds of Joy and continued as a musician, later switching to hotel management and real estate, and serving as an official in the Musicians' Union.

Discography

Andy Kirk's recording career began with Brunswick, where he cut sides from 1930 through 1931. He then moved to Decca, recording there from 1936 until 1945, and later made records for Coral in 1950.

The bulk of his studio output is preserved in the Chronological Classics series, which gathers nearly everything he committed to wax, though it leaves out alternate takes, live performances, and radio broadcasts. The series includes: The Chronological 1929–1931 (Classics 655, 1992); The Chronological 1936–1937 (Classics 573, 1991); The Chronological 1937–1938 (Classics 581, 1991); The Chronological 1938 (Classics 598, 1991); The Chronological 1939–1940 (Classics 640, 1992); The Chronological 1940–1942 (Classics 681, 1993); and The Chronological 1943–1949 (Classics 1075, 2000). Other collections span his work: Twelve Clouds Of Joy (Ace Of Hearts 160, 1967); Cloudy (Hep 1002, 1984); Clouds Of Joy (Ace Of Hearts 105, 1966); All Out For Hicksville (Hep 1007, 1985); Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy: March 1936 (Mainstream 399, 1973); The Lady Who Swings The Band (MCA France 510121, 1975; reissued MCA 1343, 1982); Kansas City Bounce 1936–1940 (Black & Blue 59.240, 1991); Walkin' & Swingin' (Affinity 1011, 1983); Andy Kirk & Mary Lou Williams: Mary's Idea (GRP 622, 1993); Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy: Souvenir Album, Vol. 1 (Coral 56019, 1951); Instrumentally Speaking (Decca 79232, 1968; MCA France 510033, 197?; reissue MCA 1308, 1980); Clouds At Sundown (MCA France 510133, 1975); The Uncollected Andy Kirk And The Clouds Of Joy: 1944 (Hindsight 227, 1986); A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm (RCA Victor 1302, 1956; reissued as Clouds From The Southwest, RCA France 42418, 1979), a re-recording of twelve hits; Andy Kirk: The 12 Clouds Of Joy With Mary Lou Williams (ASV Living Era 5108, 1993); The Best Of Andy Kirk (MCA 4105, 1976); An Introduction To Andy Kirk: His Best Recordings (Best Of Jazz 4053, 1996); and Jukebox Hits 1936–1949 (Acrobat 4077, 2005).