Early Life and Education of Kenny Clarke: A Complete Timeline

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Kenny Clarke

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Kenny Clarke. A timeline of key moments.

Kenny "Klook" Clarke was a highly influential American jazz drummer and bandleader. A key innovator in bebop drumming, Clarke revolutionized jazz rhythm by shifting the primary time-keeping role to the ride cymbal, moving away from the hi-hat's constant pulse. He also utilized the bass drum for sporadic, syncopated accents, adding a new layer of complexity and dynamism to jazz drumming. His innovations profoundly shaped the sound of bebop and modern jazz, influencing generations of drummers.

January 9, 1914: Kenneth Clarke Spearman Born

On January 9, 1914, Kenneth Clarke Spearman, later known as Kenny Clarke, was born. He became a significant jazz drummer and bandleader, nicknamed "Klook."

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1935: Move to New York City and Name Change

In 1935, Kenny Clarke moved to New York City and changed his name, dropping the surname Spearman.

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April 1938: Returned from Overseas

In April 1938, Kenny Clarke returned to the US with Edgar Hayes's band and befriended Dizzy Gillespie.

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1943: Military service

In 1943, Kenny Clarke entered military service in the US and Europe.

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1943: Drafted into the US Army

In 1943, Kenny Clarke was drafted into the US Army.

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1946: Return to New York

In 1946, Kenny Clarke returned to New York after serving in the military.

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1946: Converted to Islam

In 1946, after being discharged from the military, Kenny Clarke converted to Islam and took the name Liaquat Ali Salaam.

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1948: Paris residency

In 1948, Kenny Clarke was primarily based in Paris, signaling an important shift in his career and personal life.

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May 1949: Returned to Paris

In May 1949, Kenny Clarke returned to Paris for the festival, making the city his home base for the next two years.

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1950: Birth of Kenny Clarke Jr.

In 1950, Kenny Clarke's son, Kenny Clarke Jr., was born from a brief affair with jazz singer Annie Ross.

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1962: Married Daisy Wallbach

In 1962, Kenny Clarke married Daisy Wallbach and settled in Montreuil, a Paris suburb.

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1964: Birth of Laurent Clarke

In 1964, Kenny Clarke and Daisy Wallbach had a son named Laurent.

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1965: Started Drumming School

In 1965, Kenny Clarke began a drumming school with Dante Agostini in Paris.

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1967: Began Teaching at Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire

In 1967, Kenny Clarke began teaching at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire.

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1972: Stopped teaching at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire

Kenny Clarke worked at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire until 1972.

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1979: Taught Jazz at the University of Pittsburgh

In 1979, Kenny Clarke taught jazz at the University of Pittsburgh.

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