Kenny Davern
John Kenneth Davern's embryonic days in the music world found him as a big band sideman in various sax sections, and then on to the classic jazz combos of Greenwich Village and New York's uptown clubs as a clarinetist, to his soprano sax adventures in the Soprano Summit, and now back to the clarinet.
Davern is a native of Huntingdon, Long Island. As a young professional at the age of 16, he sat in with many of the legendary groups in New York City and the fast company gave him the background he needed to become a member of Jack Teagarden's band and to record with Jack at age 19. The bands of Phil Napoleon and Pee Wee Erwin found Kenny in the front line alongside these giants from 1955 through 1965.
Stints with Billy Butterfield and Herman Autry in the late 50's as well as Ruby Braff paved the way for his own group at Nick's. Recognition was solidified with a year's tour in 1963 with the Dukes of Dixieland, followed by engagements in New York and Canada with Wild Bill Davison, Bud Freeman, and Shorty Baker.
The Ferryboat in Brielle, N.J. and the Gaslight Club in New York occupied a lot of his time through 1968. The late 60's and early 70's found him working with Dick Wellstood in clubs such as Michael's Pub in New York. Between club appearances, Kenny began to appear at some of the many festivals and jazz societies that were springing up all over the country.
Soprano Summit's first recording was released in 1973 and the group officially formed in 1975. The great reed star, Bob Wilber, proved to be the ideal musical partner for Davern.
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Album Review
- No One But Kenny by George Kanzler
- In Concert at the Outpost Performance Space, Albuquerque, 2004 by Florence Wetzel
- Live at the Floating Jazz Festival by C. Michael Bailey
- Live at the Floating Jazz Festival by Dave Nathan
- The Jazz KENNection by AAJ Staff
- Kenny Davern: A Night with Eddie Condon by Mike Neely
March 31, 2011
Clarinet Great Kenny Davern This Week on Riverwalk Jazz
October 11, 2010
May 03, 2010
December 14, 2006
Clarinetist Kenny Davern Dies At 71
November 29, 2005
"Salute to Kenny Davern" Highlights in Jazz Thursday, December 1 8PM...
October 26, 2005
"Salute to Kenny Davern" Highlights in Jazz Thursday, December 1 8PM...
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