Photo: W. Punt for Anefo / CC0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Kenny Clarke

ケニー・クラーク　/　けにー・くらーく

American jazz drummer

January 9, 1914 – January 26, 1985　・　Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

From Pennsylvania
Drummer
Bandleader
Conductor

My Take

Clarke is one of those architects of jazz that casual listeners overlook but every drummer reveres. Moving the steady pulse up to the ride cymbal and using the bass drum for those famous bombs literally invented the modern bebop feel. Without that innovation, there's no Max Roach or Art Blakey as we know them. I love that he was both a deep timekeeper and a true bandleader, and his decision to base himself in Paris gave European jazz a serious anchor. Klook, as they called him, is foundational. You can hear his fingerprints on practically every kit since.

Overview

Kenny Clarke (1914-1985) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern jazz drumming and the bebop style. He helped revolutionize the role of the drums by shifting timekeeping to the ride cymbal, freeing the bass and snare for accents. A founding member of the Modern Jazz Quartet, he later settled in Paris and was honored as an NEA Jazz Master.

1. Profile

Name (English): Kenny Clarke
Name (Japanese): ケニー・クラーク
Reading: けにー・くらーく
Born: January 9, 1914 – January 26, 1985
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Capricorn / Tiger
Origin: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Blood type: Private
Height: Private
Agency: Private
Occupation: Drummer / Bandleader / Conductor / Jazz musician / Composer

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Private
University: Private

Awards & achievements

NEA Jazz Masters Award

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private

6. Links

Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B1%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF

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