Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen

Biography

Kenneth Daniel Ball (1930–2013), born in Ilford, Essex, England, began his musical career as a sideman in various British jazz bands while working at an advertising company. In 1953, he transitioned to full-time music, playing with groups led by Sid Philpott, Lambert, Eric Delaney, and Terry Lightfoot before forming his own traditional jazz band, Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, in 1958 with trombonist John Bennett. The group capitalized on the trad jazz revival, achieving major hits like 'Samantha' (UK #13 in 1961) and the million-selling 'Midnight in Moscow' (UK and US #2), alongside other chart successes such as 'Hello, Dolly!' (1964) and a cover of The Beatles' 'When I'm Sixty-Four' (1967).[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• In 1963, Ball became the first British jazz musician to be made an honorary citizen of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz.
• He performed at Prince Charles and Princess Diana's Royal Wedding reception in 1981 and received a slice of the wedding cake.
• Ball appeared on The Morecambe and Wise Show performing 'Old Man Moe is Dead' and had a resident spot on BBC TV's Saturday Night at the Mill in the mid-1970s.
• His band was one of the few trad jazz acts to sustain success into later decades, rivaled only by Acker Bilk and Chris Barber.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• John Bennett - co-founder and trombonist in Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen (formed band in 1958; albums like Invitation to the Ball (1961)) [1958-2013]
• Dave Jones - clarinetist in the band (early recordings and BBC airshots (1957-1962)) [1958 onward]
• Acker Bilk - fellow trad jazz bandleader; shared billings as one of the 'Three B's' (The Best of Ball, Barber and Bilk (1966, UK #1 album)) [1960s]
• Chris Barber - fellow trad jazz bandleader; shared billings as one of the 'Three B's' (The Best of Ball, Barber and Bilk (1966, UK #1 album); All That Jazz compilation (1994/2001)) [1960s-1990s]

External Links

• Spotify