- Born
- Died
- Birth nameKenneth Spearman Clarke
- Nicknames
- Klook-Mop
- Klook
- Kenny Clarke was born on January 9, 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Elevator to the Gallows (1958), The Cable Guy (1996) and On the Road (2012). He died on January 26, 1985 in Paris, France.
- ChildrenKenny Clarke Jr.
- ParentsMartha Grace ScottCharles Spearman
- "Droppin' bombs" drum technique
- Jazz drummer and bandleader.
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986.
- Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 160-162. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
- Co-founded the Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952 with pianist John Lewis (whom he had met during military service, 1943-46). Extensive free-lance work from 1955.
- Studied piano, trombone, drums, vibraphone and music theory while in high school. First with Teddy Hill's band (1940-41), later joined Benny Carter (1941-42). Led own band in New York prior to military service.
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