Karl Kiffe
American drummer
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Karl Kiffe (July 6, 1925 – May 10, 2004) was an American jazz drummer featured in specialty numbers in a number of Hollywood feature films during World War II and later as a featured member of Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra.
July 6, 1927
Karl Kiffe | |
|---|---|
| Born | Karl Herman Kiffe July 6, 1927 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 2004 (aged 76) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 1942–1994[1][2] |
Career
Born in Los Angeles, Kiffe first attracted attention as winner of the annual Gene Krupa Contest in 1943.[3] Succeeding Chuck Falkner as leader of the Hollywood Canteen Kids,[4] Kiffe was featured in novelty numbers in several feature films before working as a single in Ken Murray's Blackouts. In July 1945 he was hired by Jimmy Dorsey, with whom he worked for about a year, and then again from July 1950 through February '53.[3] Over the next decade, Kiffe worked with, among others, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo and Woody Herman,[3] as well as singers Andy Williams,[5] June Christy,[3] and Ella Fitzgerald.[6]
Speaking in 1946, when asked which drummer he most admired, Kiffe cited the solos of Buddy Rich, while praising the big band work of Don Lamond and Jo Jones.[7]
Personal life
In 1958, Kiffe married Carol Jean Beall in Las Vegas. They had two children.[8][9] He was also a great friends of the musician and saxophonist Warne Marsh.
Autobiography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cx1QjSAnwCIm3G4eWqoOzI_LQmDoFeXivfXkORfsBaY/edit?usp=sharing
Filmography
Film
- Johnny Doughboy (1942)[10]
- Song of the Open Road (1944)[11][4][12]
- Youth Aflame (1944)[13]
- Jimmy Dorsey's Varieties (1952)[14]
Television
- Stars of Jazz (With Red Norvo, April 21, 1958)[15][16]
- The Ed Sullivan Show (with Benny Goodman, November 6, 1960)[17]
Discography
As sideman
With Jimmy Dorsey
- At the 400 Restaurant 1946 (HEP, 1994; rec. 1946)
- Casino Gardens Ballroom 1946 (HEP, 1999; rec. 1946)
- More (Jazz Crusade, 1950)
- One Night Stand with Jimmy Dorsey at the Statler (Joyce, 198_; rec. November 1951)
- The Swingin' Dorseys (Decca, 195_)
With others
- Georgie Auld, That's Auld (Discovery, 1950)
- Don Stratton, Modern Jazz With Dixieland Roots (ABC-Paramount, 1956)[18]
- Red Norvo, Windjammer City Style (Dot, 1958)
- Pee Wee Russell, Portrait of Pee Wee (Counterpoint, 1958)[19]
- Tommy Vig, The Tommy Vig Orchestra (Take V, 1965)
- Helen Humes Midsummer Night's Songs (RCA, 1974)