Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
John Kirby, Jazz Musician
Photographed By Linda Walcroft, August 4, 2019
1. John Kirby Marker
Inscription.
John Kirby, Jazz Musician. . Born on 31 Dec. 1908, John Kirk (John Kirby) was raised here by the Rev. Washington Johnson. He learned to play the piano and trombone and then moved to Baltimore in the 1920s where he picked up the tuba and bass. In New York City by 1930, he played bass in legendary bands led by Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson. In 1937, the John Kirby Sextet was formed at the Onyx Club on W. 52nd St. in New York City. Billed as “The Biggest Little Band in the Land,” they were known for their musical precision and intricate arrangements and performed nationally into the middle 1940s. Kirby died on 14 June 1952 in Hollywood, California.
Born on 31 Dec. 1908, John Kirk (John Kirby) was raised here by the Rev. Washington Johnson. He learned to play the piano and trombone and then moved to Baltimore in the 1920s where he picked up the tuba and bass. In New York City by 1930, he played bass in legendary bands led by Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson. In 1937, the John Kirby Sextet was formed at the Onyx Club on W. 52nd St. in New York City. Billed as “The Biggest Little Band in the Land,” they were known for their musical precision and intricate arrangements and performed nationally into the middle 1940s. Kirby died on 14 June 1952 in Hollywood, California.
Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q 4-j.)
Location. 39° 11.359′ N, 78° 9.639′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker is on North Kent Street south of Kern Street, on the right when traveling north. Near Stephen's Jazz Cafe. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 468 North Kent Street, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2019, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2019, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
