The Baltimore Jazz Factory

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   First - A Little History

   John Kirby, a gifted bassist from      Baltimore, moved to New York in the ‘20’s and in 1930 joined the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, the most important of the pioneering big bands playing arranged music.  It was Don Redman, the talented arranger with Henderson, who developed the basic patterns of big band arrangements: the interplay of brass and reed sections – sometimes in call and response and at other times with one section playing supporting riffs behind the other, with many solos interspersed between the arranged passages.  Kirby employed this format as the basis for his arrangements, and in 1937 he formed his small group at the Onyx Club on 52nd Street, New York.

      The sextet included some of the finest musicians, including trumpeter Charlie Shavers, who wrote most of the arrangements.   Shavers was one of the great trumpeters to emerge during the  swing era – a virtuoso with an extroverted style and a strong sense of humor.

         Other Members of the Sextet were Russel Procope, alto;  Buster 

The John Kirby Sextet c.1937

Bailey, clarinet;  Billy Kyle,  piano;  O'Neil Spencer, drums ;  and Maxine Sullivan, vocals.

     The group was a perfect accompaniment for Maxine Sullivan's clear voice and reserved demeanor along with her distinctive coolness.  The singer and the Band simply projected dignity.  Melodic and always in tune, her repertoire included many classic and folk  songs including her major hit Loch Lomond.

    The Kirby Sextet was an ideal vehicle for Shavers, showing his versatility with crisp solos while muted.  The arrangements were cool-toned and required a high degree of skill.  Shavers’ Undecidedbecame a hit and the band’s abilities to “swing the classics” caught on.

   The group concentrated on a “chamber” jazz style, performing intricate arrangements at a subdued dynamic level with a light sense of swing and an extremely precise ensemble. The arrangements are clever and full of surprises and humor.  The group was the most popular small band in the swing style at the time ('38-'42) and performed weekly national network broadcasts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

       and now....... here's our Baltimore Jazz Factory, re-creating the music of John Kirby

    THE JOHN KIRBY MUSIC

     This music is different -  if you're not familiar with the Kirby music, you will be surprised.    Pleasantly surprised indeed,  we think! 

     The CD cover at the right is a picture of Ludwig Von Beethoven, of course, but with the not-so-minor "adjustment" made to the usual scowl on his face.  Can you imagine his reaction to Beethoven Riffs On?  

     How about Chopin's PolonaiseOr his Prelude For Trumpet? Opus 5 or Revolutionary Etude (Etude In C Minor)Haydn Gets Hep! and the Sextet From Lucia!   Try a little Schubert or P.I. Tchaikovsky's Bounce Of The Sugar Plum Fairy!  Arabian Nightmare, anyone? 

     BUT ...... the Kirby Sextet was more than just swinging the classics - with unique arrangements of wonderful standards such as Blue Skies9:20 Special, Red River Valley, It Might As Well Be SpringAmapola or Chloe.  Listen to Zooming At The Zombie, or Coquette, or listen to Ferebee sing Temptation, If I Had A Ribbon Bow, or The Lass With The Delicate Air!

     These arrangements are amazing - interesting and full of humor, but always with a high regard for the composers.  The technique and syncopated passages will leave you smiling and breathless.

  

  THE BALTIMORE JAZZ FACTORY

    The Baltimore Jazz Factory performs the Kirby charts from faithful transcriptions of the originals.  

THE MUSICIANS

     The musicians are first-rate, but more than that, they thoroughly enjoy playing these intricate, unique and demanding charts.

  

The BJF Players (left to right)

   Trumpet - Jon Mathis

   Drums - Brooks Tegler

   Piano - Larry Cione

   Vocals - Ferebee Thulman

   Acoustic Bass - Chris Hofer

   Alto Sax - John Jenkins

   Clarinet - Bob Thulman