Early Life and Education of Kenny Clarke: A Complete Timeline
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."
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.
April 1938: Returned from Overseas
In April 1938, Kenny Clarke returned to the US with Edgar Hayes's band and befriended Dizzy Gillespie.
1943: Military service
In 1943, Kenny Clarke entered military service in the US and Europe.
1943: Drafted into the US Army
In 1943, Kenny Clarke was drafted into the US Army.
1946: Return to New York
In 1946, Kenny Clarke returned to New York after serving in the military.
1946: Converted to Islam
In 1946, after being discharged from the military, Kenny Clarke converted to Islam and took the name Liaquat Ali Salaam.
1948: Paris residency
In 1948, Kenny Clarke was primarily based in Paris, signaling an important shift in his career and personal life.
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.
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.
1962: Married Daisy Wallbach
In 1962, Kenny Clarke married Daisy Wallbach and settled in Montreuil, a Paris suburb.
1964: Birth of Laurent Clarke
In 1964, Kenny Clarke and Daisy Wallbach had a son named Laurent.
1965: Started Drumming School
In 1965, Kenny Clarke began a drumming school with Dante Agostini in Paris.
1967: Began Teaching at Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire
In 1967, Kenny Clarke began teaching at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire.
1972: Stopped teaching at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire
Kenny Clarke worked at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire until 1972.
1979: Taught Jazz at the University of Pittsburgh
In 1979, Kenny Clarke taught jazz at the University of Pittsburgh.
Mentioned in this timeline
Chicago is the most populous city in Illinois and the...
Music is a cultural universal involving the arrangement of sound...
Pittsburgh is a city in southwestern Pennsylvania situated at the...
In Christianity a saint is a person recognized for exceptional...
The heart a muscular organ in humans and animals pumps...
Islam is a monotheistic religion centered on the Quran and...
Trending
46 minutes ago Lizzo releases 'Don't Make Me Love U' music video, meets her past self.
47 minutes ago Gold ETF (GLD) Sees Outflows Amid Tightening Financial Conditions and Stronger USD.
47 minutes ago Jeffries rebukes Trump's 'greatest enemy' remark, urging restraint in heated political exchange.
4 months ago Fubo TV loses NBC channels due to carriage dispute; customer credit offered.
2 hours ago Deep Learning Job Skills: PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras in 2026; Generative AI Libraries.
2 hours ago University of Arizona excels in entomology; Wildcats win against Utah State.
Popular
Cesar Chavez was a prominent American labor leader and civil...
Kelsey Grammer is a celebrated American actor best known for...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
Sean Penn is a highly acclaimed American actor and film...
Joseph Clay Kent is an American politician and former military...
Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu is an Israeli politician and diplomat currently...