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
4 months ago Dodgers' Will Smith Featured in NLDS Roster Updates After Wild Card Win
2 months ago Andy Garcia Teases Landman Season 2, Discusses Role and Fort Worth Restaurants.
2 months ago Kayce Dutton's Journey: 'Y: Marshals' Trailer Reveals New Beginnings After 'Yellowstone'
3 months ago Tom Welling's Superman Suit: Smallville Art Reimagines DC Hero in Arrowverse Crisis
2 months ago Scottie Barnes shines as a defender and offensive weapon for the Raptors.
4 months ago Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Jubilee, Entrusts Ministry of Catechist, and Delivers Homily.
Popular
Thomas Douglas Homan is an American law enforcement officer who...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Matt and Ross Duffer known as the Duffer Brothers are...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Martin Luther King Jr was a pivotal leader in the...
Stranger Things created by the Duffer Brothers is a popular...