Red McKenzie (William McKenzie) (October 14, 1899, St. Louis, Missouri - Fe… Read Full Bio ↴Red McKenzie (William McKenzie) (October 14, 1899, St. Louis, Missouri - February 7, 1948, New York City) was an American jazz musician. He was the best-known, and one of the only, comb players in jazz history.
McKenzie played the comb by placing tissue paper over the tines and blowing on it, which produced a sound similar to a kazoo. McKenzie also played the kazoo proper, and occasionally sang. He was a co-founder, with Jack Bland, of the Mound City Blue Blowers, who released a number of titles between 1924 and 1925 and were, for a time, a sensation. At the same time, McKenzie also recorded solo as Red McKenzie & the Candy Kids. In 1928, he fronted a group called McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans for a few sides on Okeh Records. He returned to the Mound City name again in 1929, 1931, and 1935-36.
Beginning in 1931 (no doubt due to the popularity of crooners like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo), he started recording as a singer, processing a very warm crooner style as a solo for Columbia and with Paul Whiteman in 1932. He sang again with the Spirits of Rhythm in 1934 and the Farley-Riley group in 1935. He made two swinging vocal records for Variety in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943 he went into retirement, moving back to his birthplace of St. Louis and working in a brewery, but appeared with Eddie Condon between 1944 to 1947 as a vocalist. Known as heavy drinker, he died of liver cirrhosis in 1948.
McKenzie played the comb by placing tissue paper over the tines and blowing on it, which produced a sound similar to a kazoo. McKenzie also played the kazoo proper, and occasionally sang. He was a co-founder, with Jack Bland, of the Mound City Blue Blowers, who released a number of titles between 1924 and 1925 and were, for a time, a sensation. At the same time, McKenzie also recorded solo as Red McKenzie & the Candy Kids. In 1928, he fronted a group called McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans for a few sides on Okeh Records. He returned to the Mound City name again in 1929, 1931, and 1935-36.
Beginning in 1931 (no doubt due to the popularity of crooners like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo), he started recording as a singer, processing a very warm crooner style as a solo for Columbia and with Paul Whiteman in 1932. He sang again with the Spirits of Rhythm in 1934 and the Farley-Riley group in 1935. He made two swinging vocal records for Variety in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943 he went into retirement, moving back to his birthplace of St. Louis and working in a brewery, but appeared with Eddie Condon between 1944 to 1947 as a vocalist. Known as heavy drinker, he died of liver cirrhosis in 1948.
Georgia On My Mind
Red McKenzie Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Red McKenzie:
After You've Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
After Youβve Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
Basin St Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Basin St. Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Dinah Carolina Gave me Dinah; I'm the proudest one Beneath the…
Exactly Like You I used to have a perfect sweetheart Not a real one,…
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
I Can't Believe You're In Love Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
I Can't Get Started With You Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
I Can`t Get Started With You Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
I Cried For You I remember other days how I used to weep Over…
Just Friends Just friends, lovers no more Just friends, but not like befo…
Sweet Lorraine Everything is set, skies are blue, Can't believe it yet, but…
The Trouble With Me Is You I haven't got a headache darling And my vision is ok…
Time On My Hands When the day fades away into twilight The moon is my…
You Rascal You I remember other days how I used to weep Over…
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@juliansshellacs7807
Love this beautiful song and a Red McKenzie recording on the Odeo label is a fine thing and rather rare!! π
@thegreatgramophonersebasti6121
Thanks for uploading this wonderful classy! Quite rare record! Lucky you are Brian
@radiogramgramophonetoons5802
Like it
@basilpeewit3350
The label says "with Jimmy Dorsey (cl)", but it is Coleman Hawkins who occupies the most arresting solo spot.
@thegreatgramophonersebasti6121
Jimmy Dorsey playing the stick! Thatβs really rare!!!
@basilpeewit3350
@The Great Gramophoner Sebastian Is it? I thought both Dorseys wore out their shoe soles running from session to session between 1927 and 1934
@thegreatgramophonersebasti6121
Joost Kiefte lucky you are)))
@basilpeewit3350
@The Great Gramophoner Sebastian I am too young to understand irony....:)
@GramophonicReevolution
ππ