John Kirby
John Kirby (December 31, 1908 – June 14, 1952), was an American jazz double-bassist and bandleader. In addition to sideman work (prominently with Benny Goodman), Kirby is remembered for leading a successful chamber jazz sextet in the late 1930s and early 1940s, which scored several hit songs including "Loch Lomond" and the debut recording of "Undecided", a jazz standard. He is perhaps the first musician in the chamber jazz genre. Earlier in his career he also played trombone and tuba. |
Birth and Death Data: Born December 31, 1908 (Winchester), Died June 14, 1952 (Hollywood)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1944
Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, tuba, director, composer
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings (Results 101-125 of 174 records)
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocalion | 23153 | 10-in. | 6/23/1938 | I wish I had you | Billie Holiday | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, string bass | |
| Vocalion | 23154 | 10-in. | 6/23/1938 | I'm gonna lock my heart (and throw away the key) | Billie Holiday | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, string bass | |
| Decca | 38548 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | Give me a heart to sing to | Ethel Waters | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 38549 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | I ain't gonna sin no more | Ethel Waters | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 38550 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | Trade mark | Ethel Waters | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 38551 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | You're going to leave the old home, Jim-1 | Ethel Waters | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 38593 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | That rhythm man | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 38594 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | On the sunny side of the street | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 38595 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | Lona-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 38596 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | Blue minor-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39138 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | It's over because we're through | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39140 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | Don't be that way | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39141 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | What a shuffle-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39142 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | Blue Lou | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39614 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | I'll chase the blues away | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39615 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | Down home rag-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39616 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | Are you here to stay? | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 39617 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | Love and kisses | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, string bass, tuba | ||
| Decca | 62372 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | Get acquainted with yourself | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 62373 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | Knock wood | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 62374 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | Peace, brother, peace | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 62375 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | The old stamping ground | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 62593 | 10-in. | 9/15/1937 | Blues, why don't you let me alone? | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 62594 | 10-in. | 9/15/1937 | I've got to think it over | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass | ||
| Decca | 62595 | 10-in. | 9/15/1937 | Achin' hearted blues | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, string bass |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Kirby, John," accessed May 15, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105538.
Kirby, John. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105538.
"Kirby, John." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 15 May 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Kirby, John, 1908-1952 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n87124969
Wikidata: John Kirby - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q338644
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/17407869
MusicBrainz: John Kirby - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/34866882-9929-4bb4-80ce-125958a6560b
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