Jazz Articles about Kenny Clarke

Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band: Change of Scenes

by William Grim
October 6, 2002

This amazing album was the last recording by the Clarke-Boland Big Band and features six original compositions by Francy Boland with Stan Getz as featured soloist. The album was originally released only in Europe and its current CD re-release is now out of print, which is regrettable because it features some of the finest big band compositions and performances of all time.

Francy Boland, now semi-retired and living in Switzerland, has never received his due ...

Miles Davis: Walkin'

by Douglas Payne
November 1, 1999

This bop-era classic finds trumpeter Miles Davis (1926-91) leading two groups from two sessions in April 1954: a superb sextet and a compelling quintet. Both groups center on a blue-chip rhythm section consisting of pianist Horace Silver, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. But despite the rock solid foundation and substantial decoration these three provide, Walkin' is all about the horn players. Trombonist J.J. Johnson and tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson (returning to music after the first of ...

Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland: On Rearward

by Douglas Payne
July 1, 1999

After forging bop history and founding the Modern Jazz Quartet, Pittsburgh-born drummer Kenny “Klook" Clarke (1914-85) left the United States for Europe in 1956. He played for several years in a trio with Bud Powell, then hooked up with conservatory trained pianist Francy Boland (b. 1929) to form the Clarke-Boland Big Band (C-BBB), one of Europe's preeminent jazz orchestras. From 1961 to 1972, the group recorded a whopping 35 albums and at various times, featured some of Europe and America's ...