Kenny Clare

Kenny Clare backing Tony Bennett at the Royal Festival Hall London.1974 Playing:"It Don't Mean a Thing". Kenny was easly England's best and most in demand drummer in the studio or in concert,could read anything,had amazing dynamics and his individual style & sound made him immediately recognisable.He recorded on many great albums,of which i have the following:
Many Albums of Clarke/Boland Big Band
DRUM SPECTACULAR/with Ronnie Stephenson 1966
WHY NOT!/The Jhonnie Spence Band 1968
TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE/Bob Leaper Big Band 1970
BBC JAZZ CLUB PRESENTS/Bobby Lamb Ray Premru Orchestra 1971
HELLO DOLLY/Ella Fitzgerald
CONVERSATIONS/l.bellson/b.rich/b.lamb 1971. I also have him on tracks by Matt Munroe & Sammy Davis Jr.J.Dankworth/C.Lane Etc.A tune i heard years ago "If I were a Buddy Rich Man" his tribute to Buddy.(anyone got a copy of this)as i remember it had a rock feel.
Featured Solos by:
Torrie Zito(MD)Pno.
Bass:?
Don Lusher:Tmb
Tony Fisher & Kenny Baker Tpts.
Danny Moss & Bob Efford Tnrs
Kenny Clare Dms.
The closing tune "Maybe this Time" composed by John Kander from "Cabaret" is such a great proformance & the mother of all endings,if this dosen't GRAB YOU nothing will!

[@coolestjagman]

Kenny Clare was my idol in the 1960s when I was learning drums. Try to find the LP, Drum Spectacular, it features Kenny & Ronnie Stephenson with a studio big band, probably one of the best drum records ever Saw him once at a drum clinic in Manchester and also with Tony Bennet at the Palace Theatre He was really up there with his ideas and of course his technique. He could read fylshit and never miss a beat. RIP Kenny you are really special.

[@judyslater6995]

I always loved "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and have been following up on this awesome drummer who laid down his jazz on that record.

[@paulandsueroberts4121]

Had the pleasure of seeing both at the Warren Club back in the 70s.They were booked to appear at the Broadway Club in Manchester but the place burned down just weeks before.Brilliant show of course.

[@malcolmdrums]

Clare did everything in the 60's...amazing man. One of my first drum heroes.

[@onejagjeff]

Nobody, but nobody, propelled a band like Kenny Clare. He was the most inspired, and inspirational, drummer ever. Does anybody have a recording of Kenny backing Ella Fitgerald on Can't Buy Me Love?

[@jeanwatts7604]

Hi My husband and I were talking about his uncle Arthur (solo double bass) after reading about Tony Bennett in the papers this week. I pumped in Arthur's name and came across this clip of him playing. Its brought back memories of the fish and chip shop run by his son in law Jimmy and daughter Susan, unfortunately we have lost all contact with the London relations any news of them would be great. They used to watch for Arthur on the Benny Hill Show and Sing along with Max (Bygraves). My husband recalls being banned from all the rooms with Arthur's instruments in when they went to stay on the school holidays. Arthur was a fabulous double bass player it was a real loss when he died at just 65.

[@music123junkie]

I especially enjoyed Torrie Zito playing piano and conducting the orchestra. It was a great play .... would love to hear more of this concert

[@nickriggio8807]

Tony and Kenny are AWESOME!

[@uglugl54]

Chapeau, Kenny - and the whole Band!

[@Chazthefurr]

Came to this after watching a live performance of Cilla singing You're My World and wondered who played the drums on the excellent original recording - it was evidently Kenny Clare. He was a genius.

[@XBenjaminB4evaX]

Kenny Clare was my great uncle and margorie clare is my great auntie =D

[@Skinslayer1]

Jeepers what a band! Kenny Clare is really smokin'. By comparison, modern drummers, to my ears, haven't a clue. They play a sequence of well-rehearsed exercises, but they don't know how to SWING - they don't FEEL anything. Listening to the incredible Kenny, and I don't mean any disrespect, but it's unbelievable to think that on the Conversations album, Buddy puts everyone in the shade. The inhuman Buddy!!!

[@peterfeltham5612]

To all my american friends,now that is a band.Baker,Moss,Lusher,Clare,etc,etc.

[@malcolmdale4735]

In the day I was given Kenny's throw off snare by a great drum doctor Alan Gilby and used it for years, Gorsty Hall cabaret and many other venues, Sadly Kenny died of cancer, far to early, a great drummer. Dinky Dale

[@stuartmidgley]

Great to see this clip again, wish the whole programme was still available. I saw this band with Bennett in Wakefield when they toured before hitting the RFH in London; truly memorable. Recognised Don Lusher (trombone) Danny Moss (tenor) and Kenny Baker (trumpet). I was privileged to study with Kenny in the early 80s and even dipped for him on a couple of trio gigs. A really nice quite gentleman. I remember that when Tony Bennett name checked Kenny, he initially called him Kenny Clarke - listed to the recording.

[@paulandsueroberts4121]

Saw Tony on this tour.....happy days.

[@jjojjorge]

Kenny adds individuality without disturbing the structure.

[@mikebuddy1]

I agree.when i first heard Drum Spectacular i was knocked out by the sound of Kenny and also the great Ronnie Stephenson.That album has to be one of a kind,with such great arrangements,musicans,and the two drummers working together so well,aspecially the unsion drumming licks.Also the recording is one of the best examples of what the Columbia/EMI called STUDIO 2 STEREO,and the sound is just Spectacular! Don't know if this album has ever been rerelased on cd,but it should be LP No:TWO 146 1966

[@loujug1]

Hi Mark. Just read your post. What a tragedy to loose a husband and children like that. There is a video of Kenny playing football with the girls on one of the KZbin videos. Unimaginable loss. I watched Kenny from the sidelines once. In 1953/54 I used to follow a band called "The Top Five" around the Farnborough/ Wokingham area, and they had an alto player named Colin Bradfield. I also saw John Dankworth's new band in 1954 at the Colston Hall Bristol. I didn't see the Dankworth band again till late 1956 at the Savoy Ballroom Portsmouth and was surprised to see Colin sitting in the first alto chair. I was distracted for a while, then suddenly I realized this band had a different swing and that Kenny was drumming instead of Alan Ganley. I just watched all evening. Alan Ganley was a wonderful drummer, but I think Kenny helped that Dankwoth band become a "great" and I've never forgotten that night..

[@loujug1]

I remember Marjorie Daw. Didn't realise she was married to Kenny. The opening number showed Kenny at his best. One of the greatest Big Band drumming performances of all time on that number..Watched him with Kenny Clarke reading drum music like a book..

[@Leo-lt7kr]

Wow Kenny Clare is awesome!

[@onejagjeff]

Thank you so much for that information. I've just ordered a copy of " Hello Dolly. " I really can't wait to hear those wonderful Johnny Spence arrangements again.

[@bubses]

I love Kenny Clare. Especially his stuff w/Tom Jones - I used to listen to his live albums in the 70's and wonder who the heck that kickin' drummer was that was in the band. Thanks for putting this up. I believe it's the first of Kenny Clare (where he's featured anyway) and I've been looking for stuff on him here.

[@rlush99]

Amazing FAB

[@jarrahdrum]

Powerful music

[@robertstrobel7237]

Kenny Clare was a fantastic drummer. He also worked in Germany occasionally. He played a great television show with Caterina Valente. His CD Drum spectacular is available on CD. Kind regards Robert Strobel

[@mikebuddy1]

A tribite to Frank King (LP) CONVERSATIONS-A DRUM SPECTACULAR 1.Round & Round & Round again (Ray Premru)feat.Kenny. 2.Just Louie (Drum solo from Carnaby Street)feat.Louie. 3.Son of Cuchulainn (by Cork's own Bobby Lamb) feat.Buddy Side Two 1.Conversations with B.L.K. Rec.05/12/71 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall,London Parlophone/Emi PCS 7151 stereo.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Ronnie Verral, Kenny Clare, Huub Janssen, Keith Moon , early Ringo, all great Premier drum players. They were and still are top quality drums.

[@Wwattsy]

Great to see Kenny and the old man playing together again what a brilliant selection of the finest muscians to have ever played Great Great Sounds. This is Arthur Watts son steve would be very interest if anyone knows of any other clips out there of Kenny or Arthur holding up the rythm section.

[@mikebuddy1]

What the whole album!

[@stix9641]

Kenny a man with a tempo👍

[@leeadams5902]

Phew! it's a wonder Kenny Clare wasn't carted off on a stretcher with a drip stuck in his arm with the energy he put into that number.

[@alanwitton5039]

Fantastic listening!

[@helenhayward2027]

I have just met Kenny Clare's wife Majorie Daw. She was a singer with this band and also did many backing vocals. I just showed her this and she was enthralled to see it on here. I would love to find something of her singing if anyone can help. Thanks

[@michaelrose1672]

Helen Jones Hello Helen, I work with the UK National Jazz Archive and I'm working on a project that identifies the homes of local jazz musician in east London. Presently I'm arranging for a plaque to be installed on Kenny Clare's old home. I understand that you've been in touch with his wife and I'm keen to hear further news. If you receive this would you kindly contact me. Thanks, Mike Rose 07870730745 Marketing & Fundraising National Jazz Archive Web: www.nationaljazzarchive.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/nationaljazzarchive Twitter: @JazzArchive

[@mikebuddy1]

It's on an album i have titled 'Hello Dolly! feat Ella Fitzgerald. four of the tracks were recorded in London & released in 1964.The track orig.was released on a single with 'The Sweetest Sounds' on the B side.Kenny is allowed to open out on these two tracks & showed what a great B Band drummer he was.

[@acedrumminman]

Skins you got that right, listen to Kenny play the bass drum..he's not feathering, he's shoving down the band throat!!! Guys a freight train and that's what the young lions don't understand, the drum set is a complete instrument...Buddy loved Kenny, Jack Parnell, Ronnie Stephenson, Ronnie Verrell...they were real "Big Band Drummers."

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Sensational trumpet soloists. But no one knows the name of the bass player?

[@mikebuddy1]

Will try to put up some more soon. Glad you enjoyed

[@bubses]

"Shake" on the album 'Tom Jones Live At The Talk Of The Town' 1967.

[@learningaresintenorrecorde8310]

Great to hear people like Clare, Don Lusher, Danny Moss, Kenny Baker and others again. Who is the other, younger, trumpet soloist?

[@cfb15jan]

The other 'cool' trumpeter is Tony Fisher, who unlike Kenny B actually played in the Clarke Boland Big Band. So top rank, obviously.

[@learningaresintenorrecorde8310]

Yes, I thought it must have been Fisher but could not be sure since I never actually saw him in the flesh. Tony Fisher was very underrated at the time. Thanks, Christopher.

[@phillipecook3227]

That was pretty extraordinary. There are some of the finest pros in Britain supporting Tony here along with Kenny Clare. I recognised just two: Don Lusher and Rodney Friend ( the latter would leave the UK to become leader of the New York Philharmonic under Bernstein!).Does anyone know which year this is. I'm guessing 1973 or so?

[@mikebuddy1]

Thanks for that info.yes i can see it could be R.Mathewson

[@johnandmarie7250]

Hot Amighty!

[@mikebuddy1]

cheers for that info andywad2005

[@m.j.mcilroy5470]

Great bone solo by Don Lusher.

[@Cheeseford]

Two small corrections. That's Kenny Baker, not Kenny Wheeler, and the 2nd tenorist is Bob Efford, not Tommy Whittle. As for the bass, in a certain light it looks a bit like Ron Mathewson. Great clip. Any Kenny is always welcome.

[@KentuckyJet]

Torrie Zito was great with Tony and Kenny Clare

[@mikebuddy1]

Can you recommend a piticular live album/tracks etc.with Kenny from the T.J.collection.Without knowing one could spend a lot of time (& money).That's what i loved about Kenny,he could play in any situation wether it was Film/Pop/Jazz/Jingles I have a few more clips that i will upload cheers bubses.

[@mikebuddy1]

Didn't know that,but here's one for you :Did you know that the drummer on the 'Grandstand Theme' is Kenny Ckare,Now!I don't think the beeb play it nowadays (not a big soccer fan you know)

[@primeporkycut]

Its Brian Bennett on the Grandstand Theme.

[@mikebuddy1]

I was always led to belive that Kenny done that one.I don't have a recording of it but it sounded like kenny from what i remember.What about the Avengers theme, that sounds like kenny?athough i could be wrong (again)

[@mikebuddy1]

Sinatra said the Tony Bennett had the best set of pipes in the buisness.

[@leoleodrums]

Any chance of uploading Why Not ,Johnny Spence?

[@StuNodd]

Rick Laird on bass?

[@HadEnough745]

Great stuff. The snare sounds like a cardboard box..

[@bridgetdowdeswell782]

Bass Arther Watts

[@valerieghent]

Lovely video, thank you for sharing. If you get a minute, please come by my channel and take a listen my original songs. I hope you enjoy.