Tony Kinsey...
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Tony Kinsey...
Tony Kinsey (1958) Born in 1927 Tony Kinsey is a drummer, composer, arranger and band leader. He came to London in 1948 with pianist Ronnie Ball and after a spell working in night clubs started to play on the transatlantic liners to New York, where he was able to hear the new 'bebop' at first hand. following this he become a founder member of the Johnny Dankworth Seven in 1950. He stayed until 1952 when he started leading his own small groups featuring some of Britain's better known musicians such as Don Rendell, Joe Harriott, Bill Le Sage, Ronnie Ross and Les Condon.
Tony Kinsey joined the Ronnie Ball Trio in 1951 after a long spell with the Johnny Dankworth Seven. When Ronnie left for the United States Tony assumed leadership, the group being completed by Dill Jones and Pete Blannin. They made up the resident group at Vi Hyland's Studio '51 Club which opened in the year of it's name. Tommy Whittle frequently joined the group but when he left in 1954 Joe Harriott joined. The Kinsey group then took over residency at the Flamingo Club. The residency lasted for eight years!
By early 1954 altoist Joe Harriott and pianist and vibes man Bill Le Sage were in the quartet and in 1955 Eric Dawson joined on bass, in effect the rhythm section from the old Johnny Dankworth Seven. In September 1955 Ronnie Ross playing baritone, tenor and flute replaced Joe Harriott. At this time the Quartet had a talented young vocalist Doris Steele working with them (what happened to her?). Bill Le Sage was one of the most talented jazz musicians in Britain at this time, contributing many originals to the groups library and most of the featured arrangements were from his pen. All this as well as being a skilled musician on piano, vibes and accordian which often lent a unique sound to the group.

Keith Goodwin writing in Jazz Journal in 1955 described their music "...as quiet and relaxed; stylish without resorting to exhibitionism. Although their music could almost be termed "Chamber Music Jazz" the quartet play with drive and conviction, and everything they do has the verve and spirit associated with the true jazz feeling..."
Past failings with similar groups in this country had been the lack of variety in the sound but with Bill Le Sage playing piano, vibes and accordian, and sax players doubling on other saxes or flute a variety of sound was always available.


By 1956 the quartet had expanded to a quintet with Don Rendell on tenor joining Ronnie Ross in a two saxophone front line. A succession of quintets followed, Joe Harriott returned, Bob Efford (tenor), Ken Wray (tmb), Art Ellefson and Alan Branscombe all had a spell before trumpeter Les Condon settled in for a few years. All the time the groups recorded and the personnel changes can be followed from the listing below.

During his career he has accompanied many star performers such as Oscar Peterson, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. A number of early LPs from 1957 to 1963 with his quintet have been reissued on CD.

This listing only includes details of recordings made by Tony Kinsey in his capacity as leader. He made many records as a drummer sideman, notably with The Johnny Dankworth Seven in the early 1950s and links are given to where the details of these sessions are held on the website...

Tony Kinsey reminisces...




Tony Kinsey (c1951) Johnny Dankworth Seven - May 18th, 1950 (Jazz Parade) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Johnny Dankworth Seven - July 29th, 1950 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Johnny Dankworth Seven - October 14th, 1950 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Ronnie Scott Quartet - February 28th, 1951 (Esquire) - recording details: Ronnie Scott
Johnny Dankworth Seven - April 27th, 1951 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Johnny Dankworth Seven - July 12th, 1951 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Tommy Whittle Quartet - September 13th, 1951 (Melodisc) - recording details: Tommy Whittle
Ronnie Scott with the Ronnie Ball Trio - Otober 13th, 1951 (Esquire) - record details: Ronnie Ball
Johnny Dankworth Seven - November 8th, 1951 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Ronnie Ball with Victor Feldman - December 15th, 1951 (Esquire) - recording details: Ronnie Ball
Johnny Dankworth Seven - December 17th, 1951 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Ronnie Ball Trio - January 5th, 1952 (Esquire) - recording details: Ronnie Ball
Harry Klein with the Ronnie Ball Trio - January 9th, 1952 (Esquire) - recording details: Ronnie Ball
Johnny Dankworth Seven - March 4th, 1952 (Esquire) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Arnold Ross - June 13th, 1952 (Melodisc) - recording details: Jimmy Deuchar
Johnny Dankworth Seven - February 10th, 1953 (Parlophone) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth
Johnny Dankworth Seven - May 6th, 1953 (Parlophone) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth

Tommy Whittle with the Tony Kinsey Trio - April 11th, 1953 (Esquire 20-028(1 take of each title))
Tommy Whittle (ts), Dill Jones (p), Stan Wasser (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
I'm Beginning To See The Light* (2 takes)/I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me* (2 takes)/Deep Purple* (2 takes)/Waxing With Whittle** (3 takes).
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tommy Whittle with The Tony Kinsey Trio - NJF concert at the Festival Hall, London on February 28th, 1954 (Esquire 32-004(part), EP44) (JMC8/JJ4)
Tommy Whittle (ts), Dill Jones (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Zoot's Suite*/Deed I Do.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

March 12th, 1954 (Esquire)
Symphony*/Deed I Do*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

April 7th, 1954 (Esquire 20-028)
Zoot's Suite*/Frenesi*/I Can't Get Started*/Deed I Do*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Annie Ross with The Tony Kinsey Trio - March 12th, 1954 (Esquire)
Annie Ross (vcl) acc. by Dill Jones (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
The Beginning Of The End/Annie's Blue Gown.

Melody Maker's Modern Group - April 7th, 1954 (Esquire) - recording details: Melody Maker
Jimmy Deuchar Quartet - April 20th, 1954 (Esquire) - recording details: Jimmy Deuchar

Tony Kinsey Trio with Joe Harriott - May 13th, 1954 (Esquire EP82) (JMC6)
Joe Harriott (as), Bill Le Sage (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Last Resort*/Best Behaviour*/How Deep Is The Ocean*/Get Happy*.
(*Giant Steps CD - Killer Joe: Birth Of A Legend)
(*Proper Box 4CD set - The Joe Harriott Story)

(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Trio with Joe Harriott - September 22nd, 1954 (Esquire)
Joe Harriott (as), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Sammy Stokes (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Jump For Me*/Can't We Be Friends*/Raymond*/Nice Work If You Can Get It*.
(*Giant Steps CD - Killer Joe: Birth Of A Legend)
(*Proper Box 4CD set - The Joe Harriott Story)

(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Jimmy Deuchar Quartet - November 12th, 1954 (Esquire) - recording details: Jimmy Deuchar

Tony Kinsey Trio with Joe Harriott - December 9th, 1954 (Esquire EP52* - EP36^) (JMC7)
Joe Harriott (as), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Sammy Stokes (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Chirracahua^/Teddi^/The Song Is You*/It Don't Mean A Thing*#.
(*^Giant Steps CD - Killer Joe: Birth Of A Legend)
(*^Proper Box 4CD set - The Joe Harriott Story)

(#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene')
(*^Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Johnny Dankworth Seven - January 31st, 1955 (BBC) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth

Tony Kinsey Quartet - May 17th, 1955 (Decca DFE6282)
Joe Harriott (as), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Eric Dawson (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Introduction^/Harlem#/She's Funny That Way#/Fascinating Rhythm#*.
(#Harkit CD - The Decca Sessions)
(#^Giant Steps CD - Killer Joe: Birth Of A Legend)
(#^Proper Box 4CD set - The Joe Harriott Story)

(*Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene')
(#^Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Lita Roza with the Tony Kinsey Quartet - July, 1955 (Listening in the after-hours - Decca LF1243)
Lita Roza (vcl), Joe Harriott (as), Bill Le Sage (p), Eric Dawson (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
That Old Black Magic*/Guilty*/Don't Worry About Me*/You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To*/Too Marvellous For Words*/I Don't Want To Walk Without You*/The Nearness Of You*/You'll Never Know*#.
(*Vocalion CD - Listening In The After-Hours/Love Is The Answer)
(#Giant Steps CD - Killer Joe: Birth Of A Legend)
(#Proper Box 4CD set - The Joe Harriott Story)

(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Kinsey, Le Sage, Dawson and Ross Tony Kinsey Quartet - August 3rd, 1955 (Decca DFE6285)
Ronnie Ross (bs), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Eric Dawson (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Close Your Eyes*#/Pierrot*/Makin' Whopee#*/I Never Knew.
(#Harkit CD - The Decca Sessions)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quartet - October 18th, 1955 (Decca)
Ronnie Ross (bs), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Eric Dawson (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Hey There*/Starboard Bow*/Ballet*/Body And Soul*.
(*Harkit CD - The Decca Sessions)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - February 20th, 1956 (Decca)
Ronnie Ross (bs), Dill Jones (p), Bill Le Sage (vib), Eric Dawson (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Stompin' At The Savoy*/China Boy*/Moonglow/One O'Clock Jump.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quartet - April 30th, 1956 (Decca)
Ronnie Ross (bs), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Eric Dawson (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
A Smooth One*#/In A Ditch*/Isolation*#/Lullaby Of The Leaves*#. (May 28th).
(#Harkit CD - The Decca Sessions)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - 1956 (BBC Jazz Club)
Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Pete Blannin (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Love For Sale*/Wednesday Night Special*/Supper Party*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - October 18th, 1956 (Decca)
Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Pete Blannin (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Mean To Me*/Supper Party*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - November 8th, 1956 (Decca LK4186)
personnel as October 18th.
Caravan*/Cambridge Blues*/Love For Sale*.
(*Vocalion CD - Introducing Tony Kinsey Quintet/Jazz At The Flamingo)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - November 30th, 1956 (Decca LK4186)
personnel as October 18th.
In A Mellow Tone*/You Are Too Beautiful*/Nice Work If You Can Get It*/Sweet And Lovely*.
(*Vocalion CD - Introducing Tony Kinsey Quintet/Jazz At The Flamingo)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - December 31st, 1956 (Decca LK4186)
personnel as October 18th.
No Name Flyer*.
(*Vocalion CD - Introducing Tony Kinsey Quintet/Jazz At The Flamingo)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Alan Clare Quartet - January 14th, 1957 (Decca) - recording details: Alan Clare

Tony Kinsey Quintet - January 18th, 1957 (Decca)
personnel as October 18th, 1956.
Take The A Train*.
(*Vocalion CD - Introducing Tony Kinsey Quintet/Jazz At The Flamingo)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - May 16th, 1957 (Decca LK4027)
Joe Harriott (as), Bob Efford (ts), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Pete Blannin (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Hi-ya*/Fishin' The Blues*/I'm Beginning To See The Light*/Mystery Of The Marie Celeste*/Pict's Lament*/Just Goofin'*#.
(*Vocalion CD - Introducing Tony Kinsey Quintet/Jazz At The Flamingo)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)
(#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene')

Tony Kinsey Quintet - October 7th, 1957 (Decca )
Les Condon (tp), Bob Efford (ts), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Pete Blannin (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Blue Eyes*/The Midgets*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - December 6th, 1957 (Decca DFE6461)
personnel as October 7th.
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face*/Would'nt It Be Luverley*/I Could Have Danced All Night*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - December 30th, 1957 (Decca DFE6461)
Les Condon (tp), Bob Efford (ts), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
On The Street Where You Live*/Show Me*/Get Me To the Church On Time*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - March, 1958 (Decca LK4274)
Les Condon (tp), Bob Efford (ts,b-cl), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Dave Willis (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Three Modes*/Satin Doll*/Autumn In Cuba*/Twinkletoes*/I Didn't Know What Time It Was*/Cool Me Madam*/Hallelujah*/Time Gentlemen Please*.
(*Vocalion CD - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying/Time Gentlemen Please)
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - May 29th, 1959 (Parlophone GEP8765)
Les Condon (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Kinsey (d), Christopher Logue (narration).
Blue Shoes*/Moon Clouds*/Bas Time*/Pandora*/Stew Pot*/J's Blues*/Blue Lament*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quartet - November 18th, 1959 (BBC Transcription)
Alan Branscombe (as), Bill Le Sage (vib), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Kinsey (d,perc).
Bandstand*/Foursome*/Dancing On The Ceiling*/Taboo*.
(*Vocalion CD - BBC Rare transcription recordings (1959) Volume One)

Tony Kinsey Quartet - December 7th, 1959 (Parlophone GEP8805) (JM1160)
Alan Branscombe (as), Bill Le Sage (vib), Jack Fallon (b), Tony Kinsey (d)
Foursome*/The Campbells Are Coming*/Mooching*/Uh Ho*/Band Stand*/Man For Ghana*.
(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)

Tony Kinsey Quintet - September, 1961 (An evening with the Tony Kinsey Quintet - Ember EMB3337)
Tubby Hayes (ts, fl), Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Weber The Great*^+/Girl In Blue*^+/World Of Blues*^/Bassman*/Beathaven*/What A Gas*/Runnymede Groove*/Portrait*.
(^Fantastic Voyage 2 CD set - Ember Jazz - The Flamingo Connection)
(*Fantastic Voyage 3 CD set - Tubby Hayes - Jazz Genius: the Flamingo Era)

(*Acrobat 6CD set - The Tony Kinsey Collection 1953 - 1961)
(+Acrobat CD - British Modern Jazz Singles, EP tracks & Rarities 1960 - 62)

Annie Ross with The Tony Kinsey Quintet - November/December, 1962 (Transatlantic Xtra 1049)
Annie Ross (vcl) acc. by Les Condon (tp), Peter King (ts), Gordon Beck (p), Brian Brocklehurst (b), Tony Kinsey (d). (Other musicians were added on various tracks).
Bellini/The Ballad Of The Water And the Flame/The Ass' Song/The Liberal Man/Johnny/Sick Man/Things/He/Go to the Wall/The Ballad Of The Ape And The Judge/The General/Western Ladies.

Tony Kinsey Quintet - March 7th/9th, 1963 (Decca SKL4534)
Les Condon (tp), Peter King (ts), Gordon Beck (p), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
How to Succeed...*/Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm*/I Believe In You*/Coffee Break*/Been A Long Day*/Ciderella Darling*/Paris Original*/Grand Old Ivy*/A Secretary Is Not A Toy*/Brotherhood Of Man*/Love From A Heart Of Gold*/The Company Way*.
(*Vocalion CD - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying/Time Gentlemen Please)

Tubby Hayes and the Tony Kinsey Trio - BBC broadcast April 16th, 1972 (IAJRC50)
Tubby Hayes (ts), Mike Pyne (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
I Thought About You*.
(*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

Tony Kinsey Big Band - February 17th, 1974 (Thames suite - Spotlite SPJ504)
Leon Calvert, Les Condon, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Dave Horler, Geoff Perkins, Chris Smith (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (sop,as), Peter King (as), Jimmy Hastings, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Pat Smythe (el-p), Dick Abell (g), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Sunbury Seminar*/Chertsey Mead*/Kingston Reach*/Backwater*/Henley Ho*.
(*Spotlite CD - Tony Kinsey: Thames Suite)

Tony Kinsey Big Band - March 17, 1976 (Thames suite - Spotlite SPJ504)
Tony Fisher, Les Condon, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Dave Horler, Bill Geldard, Maurice Pratt (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (sop,as), Peter King (as), Jimmy Hastings, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Pat Smythe (el-p), Louis Stewart (g), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Hard Times*/Cookham Bridge*/Beachey Head*/Good Friday*.
(*Spotlite CD - Tony Kinsey: Thames Suite)


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