John Kirby

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 - 1946

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 76-100 of 176 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Brunswick	B19499	10-in.	6/30/1936	Guess who?	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20290	10-in.	11/19/1936	Pennies from heaven	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20291	10-in.	11/19/1936	That's life I guess	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20293	10-in.	11/19/1936	I can't give you anything but love (Baby)	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20698	10-in.	2/18/1937	The mood that I'm in	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20699	10-in.	2/18/1937	You showed me the way	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20700	10-in.	2/18/1937	Sentimental and melancholy	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20701	10-in.	2/18/1937	(This is) My last affair	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20911	10-in.	3/31/1937	Carelessly	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20912	10-in.	3/31/1937	How could you?	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Brunswick	B20913	10-in.	3/31/1937	Moanin' low	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Atlantic	1096	10-in.	01/09/1946	It might as well be spring	Sarah Vaughan		instrumentalist, string bass
Atlantic	1098	10-in.	01/09/1946	You go to my head	Sarah Vaughan		instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20506	10-in.	1/12/1937	One never knows, does one?	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20507	10-in.	1/12/1937	I've got my love to keep me warm	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20508	10-in.	1/12/1937	If my heart could only talk	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20509	10-in.	1/12/1937	Please keep me in your dreams	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20918	10-in.	4/01/1937	Where is the sun?	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20919	10-in.	4/01/1937	Let's call the whole thing off	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20920	10-in.	4/01/1937	They can't take that away from me	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	20921	10-in.	4/01/1937	I don't know if I'm coming or going	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	22921	10-in.	5/11/1938	You go to my head	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	22922	10-in.	5/11/1938	The moon looks down and laughs	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	22923	10-in.	5/11/1938	If I were you	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	22924	10-in.	5/11/1938	Forget if you can	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass

(Results 76-100 of 176 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Kirby, John," accessed November 19, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/105538.

Kirby, John. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/105538.

"Kirby, John." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 November 2024.