Connie Kay

Connie Kay (* April 27, 1927 in Tuckahoe, New York Conrad Henry Kirnon, † 30 November 1994 ) was an American jazz drummer.

Kay learned at his mother's piano and took drum lessons. He played in 1939 with Fats Noel, worked the mid-1940s with Sir Charles Thompson and Miles Davis, but also with the band of Cat Anderson (1946 ) and Lester Young. After engagements at Beryl Booker and Charlie Parker, he played with Davis in 1952 - as well as with Stan Getz - also played in the jazz club Birdland. In addition, he also worked as a studio musician and was in rhythm 'n' blues recordings involved (eg by Ruth Brown or Big Joe Turner). From 1952 to 1955 he was in the band of Lester Young, he was until 1974 a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet. He also worked with Clark Terry, Bud Powell, USA Orchestra, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge and taught in the School of Jazz in New York. In the late 1970s he worked in Dixieland projects and played with Benny Goodman ( and Others 1978 appearance at Carnegie Hall ). Since 1981 he has been involved in the reunion of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Kay was able to bring his own, understated style of drumming, especially in working with the Modern Jazz Quartet advantage. Its lightweight, springy swing fits in very well with the low volume level of the band.