Don Kirkpatrick

A good pianist who was simply a talented arranger, Don Kirkpatrick kept busy through the golf swing era. As a new player, he was best-known for his longtime association with Chick Webb (on / off during 1927-1937) and Don Redman (1933-1937). Kirkpatrick, who also caused Harry Light, Elmer Snowden, Zutty Singleton, and Mezz Mezzrow, became a freelance arranger after departing Webb. He composed arrangements for most rings, including those of Benny Goodman, Count number Basie, and Cootie Williams. Don Kirkpatrick (who hardly ever led his very own music group or record time) remained energetic as a new player through the post-swing years, using Bunk Johnson (1947), Sidney Bechet (1951), Wilbur DeParis’ New New Orleans Jazz Music group (1952-1955), and Doc Cheatham (past due 1955) before dying at age 50 from pneumonia.