Andy Kirk Biography

Andrew Dewey Kirk (born May 28, 1898 in Newport, Kentucky; died December 11, 1992 in New York City) was a jazz bass saxophonist and tuba player best known as a bandleader. He started his musical career playing with George Morrison's band, but then went on to join Terrence Holder's Dark Clouds of Joy. In 1929 he was elected leader after Holder departed. Renaming themselves Twelve Clouds of Joy they set up in the Pla-Mor Ballroom on the junction of 32nd and Main in Kansas City and made their first recording for Brunswick Records that same year. Mary Lou Williams came in as pianist at the last moment, but she impressed Brunswick's Dave Kapp, so she became a regular member of the band.

The pianist she replaced, Marion Jackson, did not take well to this but otherwise Kirk's band would be fairly stable after Williams entered it. Many of its members later became known in their own right including: Buddy Tate (tenor saxophone), Claude Williams (violin), Pha Terrell (vocals) and Mary Lou's then husband, John Williams (saxophonist). The band was smaller than most swing bands of the time, which had advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage being that the loss of individuals could be more damaging. In 1941 saxophonist Dick Wilson died and in the following year Mary Lou Williams began an independent career. The band still had successes after that, as the more poppish singer was more liked by the masses, but in 1948 he folded the band. Andy Kirk continued to do music after that, but eventually switched to hotel management and real estate.