Kenny Ball
Kenny Ball (born Kenneth Daniel Ball on 22 May 1930 in Ilford, Essex; died … Read Full Bio ↴Kenny Ball (born Kenneth Daniel Ball on 22 May 1930 in Ilford, Essex; died 7 March 2013) was an English jazz musician, best known as the bandleader, lead trumpet player and vocalist in Kenny Ball & his Jazzmen.
Ball began his career in the 1950s as sideman in bands before forming his own Trad jazz band in 1958. Ball and his band enjoyed the longest unbroken success for bands of their generation, with their hits like "Samantha" and "Midnight in Moscow" remaining popular in dixieland and trumpet circles. Ball's status rivals contemporaries Acker Bilk and Chris Barber. In March of 1962 Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen reached #2 on the US Billboard charts, with "Midnight in Moscow".
Ball continued to tour in the 2000s and charted no fewer than 14 Top 30 hit singles in the UK alone, the most by any jazz artist.
The line-up changed greatly over the years, but the following personnel were in situ when the musical ensemble was at its commercial peak:
Kenny Ball (trumpet)
John Bennett (trombone), still in the line-up at the time of Ball's death
Dave Jones (clarinet)
Ron Weatherburn (piano)
Paddy Lightfoot (banjo)
Ron Bowden (drums)
Vic Pitt (bass, bass guitar)
Ball began his career in the 1950s as sideman in bands before forming his own Trad jazz band in 1958. Ball and his band enjoyed the longest unbroken success for bands of their generation, with their hits like "Samantha" and "Midnight in Moscow" remaining popular in dixieland and trumpet circles. Ball's status rivals contemporaries Acker Bilk and Chris Barber. In March of 1962 Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen reached #2 on the US Billboard charts, with "Midnight in Moscow".
Ball continued to tour in the 2000s and charted no fewer than 14 Top 30 hit singles in the UK alone, the most by any jazz artist.
The line-up changed greatly over the years, but the following personnel were in situ when the musical ensemble was at its commercial peak:
Kenny Ball (trumpet)
John Bennett (trombone), still in the line-up at the time of Ball's death
Dave Jones (clarinet)
Ron Weatherburn (piano)
Paddy Lightfoot (banjo)
Ron Bowden (drums)
Vic Pitt (bass, bass guitar)
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Kenny Ball Lyrics
Basin St Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Dinah Carolina Gave me Dinah; I'm the proudest one Beneath the…
Green Leaves of Summer A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin' The…
Hawaiian War Chant There's a sunny little funny little melody That was started…
I Love You Samantha Samantha, you're all I'll ever adore, So forgive me, do, If …
I Wanna Be Like You Now I'm the king of the swingers, oh! The jungle v.i.p. I…
Midnight in Moscow Stillness in the grove Not a rustling sound Softly shines th…
Mood Indigo You ain't never been blue; no, no, no, You ain't…
Moonlight in Moscow Stillness in the grove Not a rustling sound Softly shines th…
Pennies from Heaven Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven Don't you…
Samantha Samantha, you're all I'll ever adore, So forgive me, do, If …
Someday Someday you'll be sorry The way you treated me was wrong I…
Sukiyaki Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears…
Teddy Bear's Picnic If you go down to the woods today You're sure of…
That's My Weakness Now She's got eyes of blue I never cared for eyes of…
The Green Leaves of Summer A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin' The…
Them There Eyes I was just minding my business Life was a beautiful song Did…
When I'm Sixty Four When I get older, losing my hair, many years from…
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby You must have been a beautiful baby, You must have…