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ANDY KIRK AND HIS CLOUDS OF JOY

Biography

Andy Kirk (Andrew Dewey Kirk, 1898–1992) was an influential American jazz bandleader and saxophonist best known for leading the Twelve Clouds of Joy, a prominent big band during the swing era. Born in Newport, Kentucky, Kirk grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he received musical instruction from Wilberforce Whiteman, the father of famed bandleader Paul Whiteman. Kirk began his professional career in 1919 with George Morrison's band, playing alto saxophone and tuba, and later joined Terrence Holder's Dark Clouds of Joy in Dallas.

In 1929, Kirk was elected leader of the band after Holder's departure, renaming it the Clouds of Joy and relocating the group to Kansas City, Missouri. The band quickly became a fixture at venues like the Pla-Mor Ballroom and gained national attention after recording for Brunswick Records. Under Kirk's direction, the Clouds of Joy epitomized the Kansas City jazz sound, blending sophisticated arrangements with energetic swing. The group featured several future jazz luminaries, most notably pianist and arranger Mary Lou Williams, whose innovative style helped define the band's musical identity. Kirk's band enjoyed significant success throughout the 1930s and 1940s, producing hits such as "I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You)" and "Take It and Git," which topped the Harlem Hit Parade in 1942.

Kirk was not a flamboyant showman but excelled at organizing and arranging, making his band one of the leading purveyors of the Kansas City swing style alongside Count Basie and Bennie Moten. After dissolving the band in 1948, Kirk pursued careers in real estate and served as an administrator for musicians' unions in New York. His legacy endures through his contributions to big band jazz and the careers he helped launch.

Fun Facts

  • Andy Kirk did not play an instrument in the band after the mid-1930s, focusing solely on conducting and arranging.
  • Mary Lou Williams joined the Clouds of Joy at the last minute for their first recording session and became a star after impressing the label.
  • The band's hit "Take It and Git" was the first single to reach number one on the Harlem Hit Parade, the precursor to the Billboard R&B chart.
  • After leaving music, Kirk had a successful career in real estate and as a union administrator in New York.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Wilberforce Whiteman - Kirk's music instructor in Denver; father of Paul Whiteman (Early musical tutelage) [1910s]

Key Collaborators

  • Mary Lou Williams - Pianist, arranger, and composer for the Clouds of Joy ("Froggy Bottom", numerous arrangements and recordings) [1929–1942]
  • Pha Terrell - Vocalist featured on major hits ("I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You)") [1930s]
  • Blanche Calloway - Vocalist with the band in early 1930s (Recordings as "her Joy Boys") [1931]
  • John Williams - Bassist and Mary Lou Williams' husband (Band member) [1930s]
  • Buddy Tate - Tenor saxophonist (Band member) [1930s]
  • Claude Williams - Violinist (Band member) [1930s]
  • Dick Wilson - Saxophonist (Band member) [1930s]
  • Floyd Smith - Guitarist (Band member) [1930s]
  • Don Byas - Saxophonist (Band member) [1930s]
  • "Shorty" Baker - Trumpeter (Band member) [1930s]
  • Howard McGhee - Trumpeter (Band member) [1940s]
  • Jimmy Forrest - Saxophonist (Band member) [1940s]
  • Fats Navarro - Trumpeter (briefly) (Band member) [1940s]
  • Charlie Parker - Saxophonist (briefly) (Band member) [1940s]

Artists Influenced

  • Mary Lou Williams - Her career and style developed with Kirk's band; became a major jazz figure (Solo career, influential arrangements) [1930s–1970s]
  • Buddy Tate - Gained prominence after tenure with Kirk (Later work with Count Basie) [1930s–1950s]
  • Claude Williams - Violinist who became known in his own right after Clouds of Joy (Solo career) [1930s–1990s]
  • Kansas City jazz musicians - Kirk's band helped define and popularize the Kansas City swing style (Influence on Count Basie, Jay McShann, and others) [1930s–1940s]

Connection Network

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Mentors
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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Jukebox Hits 1936-1949 2005-06-21 Album
The Real Thing 2013-01-15 Album
Kansas City Jazz 2023-11-10 Album
Swingin' Appeal 2012-10-05 Album
City of Swing 2011-01-01 Album
Go Harlem Swing !, Vol.2 2011-01-01 Album
The Lady Who Swings the Band (with Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy) 2008-02-02 Album
Jukebox Hits 1936-1949 2006-10-10 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Now I Lay Me Down To Dream (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)
  2. Floyd's Guitar Blues (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)
  3. Wham Re Bop Boom Bam (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)
  4. Until The Real Thing Comes Along (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)
  5. Take It And Git (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)
  6. Until The Real Thing Comes Along - Remastered (The Real Thing)
  7. Give Her A Pint (And She'll Tell It All) - Remastered (The Real Thing)
  8. Corky Stomp - Remastered (The Real Thing)
  9. Christopher Columbus (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)
  10. What Will I Tell My Heart (Jukebox Hits 1936-1949)

References

  1. kcblackhistory.org
  2. fromthevaults-boppinbob.blogspot.com
  3. arts.gov

Heard on WWOZ

ANDY KIRK AND HIS CLOUDS OF JOY has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Nov 19, 202509:50CLOUDYfrom ANDY KIRK 1929-31Traditional Jazzw/ Tom Saunders
Nov 5, 202509:55SATURDAYfrom ANDY KIRK 1929-31Traditional Jazzw/ Tom Saunders