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John Kirby Collection

Stewart Bell Jr. Archives
Handley Regional Library
Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society
P.O. Box 58, Winchester, VA 22604
(540) 662-9041 ext. 17
archives@handleyregional.org
www.handleyregional.org

384 THL

Inventory created by Archives Staff on 05/98. Last Revised 03/2022.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

TECHNICAL ACCESS: This collection contains vinyl albums. A record player is available to researchers. The DVD is reproduced as an MP4 file and requires a computer with a video player to view. Please ask Archives Staff for assistance.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 0.21 linear feet

DATES: 1908-1952

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The John Kirby Collection contains four long-playing albums, album covers, and news articles concerning the life and career of band leader and jazz bassist John Kirby. CDs of John Kirby’s music are also available for circulation through the Library.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL:  John Kirby, a renowned jazz musician and band leader of the mid 20th Century, was born and raised in Winchester, VA. Originally trained on the trombone by Douglas School principal Powell Gibson, Kirby became known as one of the most accomplished string bass performers in the USA at the height of his career. Kirby performed with such jazz greats as Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday, and his band, the John Kirby Sextets, performed at New York City’s Onyx Club for many years. Kirby died in 1952.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Williams, Alan. Fall From Grace, The John Kirby Story. Pensacola, FL: Alcorn Books, 1996

CITE AS: John Kirby Collection, 384 THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift.

ORGANIZATION

BOX 1

A New History of Jazz, Revised and Updated by Alyn Shipton, Continuum, New York, NY, 2008, excerpts about John Kirby, pages 312-319, 6 leaves, printed (photocopy)

John Kirby Day – News Articles

The John Kirby Story in Pictures and Music produced by Alan Williams, 2002, 1 DVD [Access Copy: MP4 on HD AV 001]

Album covers and notes, unnumbered pages (photocopies)

News Articles; unnumbered leaves

Albums, John Kirby and Orchestra (includes the following):
920 Special
Mop Mop
Passipied
K.C. Caboose
J.K. Special (two copies)
Maxine Dengoza