Andy Kirk

Although Andy Kirk never distinguished himself as a prominent instrumentalist—he almost never soloed—arranger, or compelling individual, he nevertheless guided a thriving big band through the 1930s and 1940s. His career on bass sax and tuba began in Denver in 1918 as a member of George Morrison’s band. Five years later he arrived in Dallas and joined Terrence Holder’s Dark Clouds of Joy. In 1929 he assumed direction of the group, which he promptly retitled Andy Kirk’s Twelve Clouds of Joy, and transferred its base to Kansas City. During the following two years the ensemble cut a series of strong, heated sides that showcased pianist/arranger Mary Lou Williams, violinist Claude Williams, and trumpeter Edgar “Puddinghead” Battle. Between 1931 and 1935 the orchestra remained completely absent from recording studios; once it reached New York in 1936, however, it scored an immediate popular success with “Until the Real Thing Comes Along,” spotlighting the high voice of singer Pha Terrell. Later lineups featured such accomplished players as tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson, early electric guitarist Floyd Smith, Don Byas, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Howard McGhee (1942–1943), Jimmy Forrest, and briefly even Fats Navarro and Charlie Parker. Mary Lou Williams remained the band’s most consequential musician, valued equally for her solo work and her charts. Andy Kirk dissolved the orchestra in 1948 after most of its output had appeared on Decca; in subsequent years he operated a hotel and served as an officer in the Musicians’ Union. A solitary reunion date in 1956 revived the classic arrangements yet included almost none of the original sidemen.