History of Kenny Clarke in Timeline
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."
1931: Turned professional
In 1931, at the age of seventeen, Kenny Clarke began his professional music career.
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.
1935: Move to New York City
In 1935, Kenny Clarke relocated to New York City, where he started developing his unique drumming style and building his reputation.
1936: Played with Lonnie Simmons
In 1936, Kenny Clarke played with guitarist Freddie Green in a group fronted by tenor saxophonist Lonnie Simmons, experimenting with rhythmic patterns.
April 1937: Joined Edgar Hayes's Group
In April 1937, Kenny Clarke joined Edgar Hayes's group.
April 1938: Returned from Overseas
In April 1938, Kenny Clarke returned to the US with Edgar Hayes's band and befriended Dizzy Gillespie.
1939: Joined Teddy Hill Band
In 1939, Kenny Clarke joined the Teddy Hill band at the Savoy Ballroom after Gillespie gave him an opening. He also began using the ride cymbal to keep time.
1940: Teddy Hill Band Disbanded
In 1940, the Teddy Hill Band disbanded. Clarke then worked with several other bandleaders.
1941: Hired by Hill at Minton's Playhouse
In 1941, Kenny Clarke was hired by Teddy Hill to manage the music at Minton's Playhouse in Harlem, leading to the development of bebop.
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.
1944: Married Carmen McRae
In 1944, during his basic training, Kenny Clarke married singer Carmen McRae.
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.
December 1947: Rejoined Gillespie's Group
In December 1947, Kenny Clarke rejoined Dizzy Gillespie's group.
1948: Separated from McRae
In 1948, Kenny Clarke permanently separated from Carmen McRae.
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.
1951: Recorded with Miles Davis
Between 1951 and 1954, Kenny Clarke recorded with Miles Davis, including tracks that appeared on the 1957 compilation albums Bags' Groove and Walkin', along with 1959's Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants.
1951: Return to New York
In 1951, Kenny Clarke returned to New York, where he performed with the Modern Jazz Quartet and played on early Miles Davis recordings.
1951: Toured with Billy Eckstine
In 1951, Kenny Clarke toured with Billy Eckstine and made recordings with Charlie Parker's quintet and Milt Jackson's quartet.
1952: Modern Jazz Quartet album released
In 1952, Kenny Clarke performed with the Modern Jazz Quartet and recorded for their album Modern Jazz Quartet.
1953: Recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet
In 1953, Kenny Clarke performed with the Modern Jazz Quartet and recorded for their albums 1953: An Exceptional Encounter and Django.
1954: Recorded with Miles Davis
Between 1951 and 1954, Kenny Clarke recorded with Miles Davis, including tracks that appeared on the 1957 compilation albums Bags' Groove and Walkin', along with 1959's Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants.
1954: Newport Jazz Festival
In 1954, Kenny Clarke performed with the Modern Jazz Quartet at the first Newport Jazz Festival.
1955: Left the Modern Jazz Quartet
In 1955, Kenny Clarke left the Modern Jazz Quartet due to creative differences.
1955: Rejoined Pettiford's Group
In mid-1955, Kenny Clarke rejoined Oscar Pettiford's group at Café Bohemia and worked at Basin Street West.
September 1956: Moved to Paris
In September 1956, Kenny Clarke relocated to Paris, initially working with Jacques Hélian's orchestra.
1956: Divorced Carmen McRae
In 1956, Kenny Clarke and Carmen McRae divorced.
1956: Move to Paris
In 1956, Kenny Clarke permanently moved to Paris, where he continued to perform and record with both European and visiting American musicians.
1956: Album Release: Here Is Phineas
In 1956, Kenny Clarke recorded with Oscar Pettiford on Phineas Newborn's album Here Is Phineas.
1957: Compilation Albums Released
In 1957, compilation albums Bags' Groove and Walkin' by Miles Davis, which included tracks recorded by Kenny Clarke between 1951 and 1954, were released.
1959: Album Released: Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants
In 1959, Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants was released, featuring tracks recorded by Kenny Clarke between 1951 and 1954.
1961: Co-led Big Band
In 1961, Kenny Clarke co-led the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band.
1961: Formed Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band
In 1961, Kenny Clarke formed the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band with Belgian pianist Francy Boland.
1962: Married Daisy Wallbach
In 1962, Kenny Clarke married Daisy Wallbach and settled in Montreuil, a Paris suburb.
1962: Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big Band Formation
In 1962, the Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big Band was formed.
1963: Recorded Our Man in Paris
In 1963, The Three Bosses, including Kenny Clarke, recorded the album Our Man in Paris with Dexter Gordon.
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.
1966: Began Touring with Big Band
In 1966, the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band began touring.
1967: Began Teaching at Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire
In 1967, Kenny Clarke began teaching at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire.
1971: Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big Band
Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big Band (1962–1971)
1972: Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band disbanded
In 1972, the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band ended its run.
1972: Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band active until this year
In 1972, the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band was active until this year.
1972: Stopped teaching at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire
Kenny Clarke worked at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Conservatoire until 1972.
1975: Heart Attack
In 1975, Kenny Clarke had a period of convalescence after suffering a heart attack.
September 1976: Gillespie's Big Band Reunion
In September 1976, Kenny Clarke went to Chicago for a reunion of Dizzy Gillespie's big band.
1979: Taught Jazz at the University of Pittsburgh
In 1979, Kenny Clarke taught jazz at the University of Pittsburgh.
1983: Performed at European jazz festivals
In 1983, Kenny Clarke continued to perform at European jazz festivals.
December 1984: Last Performances
In December 1984, Kenny Clarke had his last performances during a five-night-a-week engagement.
January 1985: Death of Kenny Clarke
In January 1985, Kenny Clarke died of a heart attack in Paris, shortly before his passing he was still actively performing and recording music.
January 26, 1985: Death of Kenny Clarke
On January 26, 1985, Kenny Clarke, a prominent jazz drummer and bandleader, passed away.
1988: DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame Induction
In 1988, Kenny Clarke was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame.
2018: Death of Kenny Clarke Jr.
In 2018, Kenny Clarke's son, Kenny Clarke Jr., passed away.
2024: Inducted into Jazz at Lincoln Center'S Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame
In 2024, Kenny Clarke was inducted into Jazz at Lincoln Center's Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame.
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