b. Andrew Dewey Kirk, 28 May 1898, Newport, Kentucky, USA, d. 11 December 1992, New York City, New York, USA. Raised in Colorado, Kirk dabbled in music as a child, learning to play several instruments. He studied assiduously, one of his tutors being Wilberforce Whiteman, father of Paul Whiteman. Kirk played in several bands in and around Denver, in particular that led by George Morrison which played popular music of the day mixed with a smattering of light classics. It was a solid musical apprenticeship for the young man, but he was cautious about his career and all the while kept other regular employment. In 1927, he moved to Dallas, Texas, where he joined Terrence Holder's band, the Dark Clouds Of Joy. By this time Kirk was mostly playing tuba, doubling on baritone and bass saxophones. In 1929, Holder, an erratic individual with his own ideas on how to run the band's finances, was persuaded to quit and Kirk took over leadership. The band's name underwent various minor changes but thereafter was mostly known as Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy. At the instigation of George E. Lee, the band auditioned for and obtained an engagement at Kansas City's prestigious Pla-Mor Restaurant. During their stay at the Pla-Mor the band auditioned again, this time for a recording contract. When Marion Jackson, the regular pianist, could not make the date, Kirk brought in Mary Lou Williams. In addition to playing on the date, Williams also supplied several arrangements, some of which were of her own compositions. She so impressed the record company's executives, Jack Kapp and Dick Voynow, that they insisted she appear on all the band's record dates. Soon afterwards, Jackson tired of this implied slur and quit the band. Williams joined the band full-time and quickly became one of its most important and influential members. The band's personnel was relatively stable over the years and included many excellent musicians such as Buddy Tate (tenor saxophone), Edgar Battle (trumpet), Claude Williams (violin), Ben Thigpen (drums), Pha Terrell (vocals) and Mary Lou's husband, John Williams (alto saxophone).

Listen to Andy Kirk at Finetune.

• (1936)  Mary's Idea

• The Lady Who Swings the Band
• Ring Dem Bells
• A Mellow Bit of Rhythm
• Bearcat Shuffle
• Froggy Bottom

• Bob Marley & The Wailers
• Duke Ellington
• Count Basie
• Big Joe Turner
• Art Farmer
• Rolling Stones
• Aerosmith
• David Wilcox
• Guns N' Roses
• Kaiser Chiefs
• Led Zeppelin
• Queen
• Ray Stevens
• Slayer
• The Blues Brothers
• The Police
• The Stone Roses
• The Who
• Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
• Fats Waller

• eddielin11