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 101-125 of 176 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Vocalion	23151	10-in.	6/23/1938	Having myself a time	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	23152	10-in.	6/23/1938	Says my heart	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	23153	10-in.	6/23/1938	I wish I had you	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Vocalion	23154	10-in.	6/23/1938	I'm gonna lock my heart (and throw away the key)	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	38548	10-in.	9/5/1934	Give me a heart to sing to	Ethel Waters		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	38549	10-in.	9/5/1934	I ain't gonna sin no more	Ethel Waters		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	38550	10-in.	9/5/1934	Trade mark	Ethel Waters		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	38551	10-in.	9/5/1934	You're going to leave the old home, Jim-1	Ethel Waters		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	38593	10-in.	9/10/1934	That rhythm man	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	38594	10-in.	9/10/1934	On the sunny side of the street	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	38595	10-in.	9/10/1934	Lona-1	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	38596	10-in.	9/10/1934	Blue minor-1	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39138	10-in.	11/19/1934	It's over because we're through	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39140	10-in.	11/19/1934	Don't be that way	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39141	10-in.	11/19/1934	What a shuffle-1	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39142	10-in.	11/19/1934	Blue Lou	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39614	10-in.	6/12/1935	I'll chase the blues away	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39615	10-in.	6/12/1935	Down home rag-1	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39616	10-in.	6/12/1935	Are you here to stay?	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	39617	10-in.	6/12/1935	Love and kisses	Chick Webb Orchestra		instrumentalist, string bass, tuba
Decca	62372	10-in.	7/14/1937	Get acquainted with yourself	Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	62373	10-in.	7/14/1937	Knock wood	Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	62374	10-in.	7/14/1937	Peace, brother, peace	Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	62375	10-in.	7/14/1937	The old stamping ground	Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs		instrumentalist, string bass
Decca	62593	10-in.	9/15/1937	Blues, why don't you let me alone?	Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs		instrumentalist, string bass

(Results 101-125 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.