# Kenny Clarke

> American jazz drummer (1914–1985)

**Wikidata**: [Q346779](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q346779)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Clarke)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kenny-clarke

## Summary
Kenny Clarke was an American jazz drummer (1914–1985) who was a pioneering figure in modern jazz, particularly through his work with the Modern Jazz Quartet and his association with Blue Note Records, earning him the NEA Jazz Masters award.

## Biography
- Born: January 9, 1914 (United States)
- Nationality: American
- Education: Not mentioned in source material
- Known for: Pioneering modern jazz drumming techniques and being a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet
- Employer(s): Associated with Blue Note Records and the Modern Jazz Quartet
- Field(s): Jazz music, specifically as a drummer

## Contributions
Kenny Clarke made significant contributions to jazz through his innovative drumming style and his role in influential musical groups. He was associated with Blue Note Records, a major jazz label, and was a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet. His work helped shape the development of modern jazz, particularly in the bebop and post-bop styles. He received the NEA Jazz Masters award in 1982, recognizing his lifetime achievements in jazz.

## FAQs
**What was Kenny Clarke's primary role in jazz?**
Kenny Clarke was primarily known as a jazz drummer who pioneered modern drumming techniques and was a key member of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

**Which record label was Kenny Clarke associated with?**
Kenny Clarke was affiliated with Blue Note Records, a major American jazz label founded in 1939.

**What musical group did Kenny Clarke belong to?**
Kenny Clarke was a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet, an American jazz ensemble.

**What award did Kenny Clarke receive?**
Kenny Clarke received the NEA Jazz Masters award in 1982 from the National Endowment for the Arts.

**When did Kenny Clarke's professional career begin?**
Kenny Clarke's professional work period started around 1931 according to the source material.

## Why They Matter
Kenny Clarke's work significantly influenced the development of modern jazz, particularly through his innovative drumming techniques that helped define the sound of the Modern Jazz Quartet. His association with Blue Note Records placed him at the center of the jazz scene during its most creative period. Clarke's contributions helped bridge traditional jazz rhythms with contemporary musical styles, influencing generations of jazz musicians. Without his pioneering approach to drumming, the evolution of modern jazz might have taken a different path, potentially limiting the development of complex rhythmic structures that became characteristic of post-bop jazz.

## Notable For
- Received the NEA Jazz Masters award in 1982
- Associated with Blue Note Records, a foundational jazz label
- Member of the Modern Jazz Quartet
- Pioneered modern jazz drumming techniques
- Worked during the bebop and post-bop eras of jazz
- Contributed to the development of complex rhythmic structures in jazz

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Kenny Clarke was born on January 9, 1914, in the United States. The source material indicates he was an American citizen throughout his life. While his early education and family background are not detailed in the provided information, his birth date and nationality are clearly established.

### Career Beginnings
Clarke's professional work period began around 1931, as indicated by the structured properties. During this early phase, he established himself as a jazz drummer, contributing to the growing jazz scene in the United States. His career spanned over five decades, from the early 1930s through his death on January 26, 1985.

### Musical Style and Innovation
The source material identifies Clarke as a jazz drummer who pioneered modern drumming techniques. His work was characterized by innovative approaches to rhythm and tempo, which helped define the sound of the Modern Jazz Quartet. The structured properties list his occupation as including roles such as percussionist, jazz musician, and recording artist.

### Association with Blue Note Records
One of Clarke's most significant affiliations was with Blue Note Records, an American jazz label founded in 1939. This connection placed him at the center of the jazz scene during its most creative period. The label was known for its association with bebop and modern jazz, and Clarke's work with it helped shape the label's distinctive sound.

### Modern Jazz Quartet
Clarke was a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet, an influential American musical ensemble that began in 1952. The group was known for its sophisticated approach to jazz, blending classical and modern elements. Clarke's drumming provided the rhythmic foundation for the group's complex compositions.

### Awards and Recognition
Clarke received the NEA Jazz Masters award in 1982 from the National Endowment for the Arts. This recognition honored his lifetime contributions to jazz music and his role as a pioneer in the field.

### Legacy and Influence
Kenny Clarke's contributions to jazz had a lasting impact on the development of modern jazz. His innovative drumming techniques influenced generations of jazz musicians, particularly in the areas of rhythm and tempo. The Modern Jazz Quartet, with which he worked, became one of the most influential jazz groups of the mid-20th century, and Clarke's work was integral to its success.

### Professional Affiliations
Throughout his career, Clarke maintained professional affiliations with various jazz organizations and labels. His work period started in 1931 and continued until his death in 1985. The structured properties indicate he was associated with multiple entities, including Blue Note Records and the Modern Jazz Quartet.

### Technical and Artistic Contributions
Clarke's technical contributions included developing new approaches to drumming that emphasized complex rhythms and dynamic variations. His artistic contributions involved working with composers and musicians to create innovative jazz compositions that pushed the boundaries of traditional jazz forms. The source material indicates his work covered multiple genres within jazz, including bebop and post-bop styles.

### Cultural Impact
As an American jazz musician, Clarke contributed to the cultural significance of jazz as both an art form and a cultural phenomenon. His work helped establish jazz as a major American cultural export and influenced the development of jazz worldwide. The source material notes his role in shaping the sound of modern jazz through his drumming and his association with influential jazz groups and labels.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
3. [Source](http://french.france.usembassy.gov/americains-france-2.html)
4. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kenny-Clarke)
5. Grove Music Online
6. BnF authorities
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](https://books.google.fr/books?id=Vlm7CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT64&lpg=PT64)
9. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
10. [Source](http://mikedolbear.com/groovers-and-shakers/kenny-clarke/)
11. [Source](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/kenny-clarke)
12. International Standard Name Identifier
13. MusicBrainz
14. IMDb
15. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
16. SNAC
17. Discogs
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
20. Clarke, Kenny (?9 Jan. 1914–26 January 1985), jazz drummer and bandleader
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. Virtual International Authority File
23. ISWC Network
24. LIBRIS. 2006
25. [Source](https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T30C4Z57)