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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZKYLE, Billy(b 14 July '14, Philadelphia PA; d 23 Feb. '66, Youngstown OH) Pianist. The urbane Kyle played with Lucky Millinder '36--8, John Kirby's superb sextet '38--42, served in WWII, joined Kirby again, led own small groups '47-- 8, played two years in Broadway show Guys And Dolls, did studio work, then found a secure berth with Louis Armstrong's All- Stars '53--66. Freelance work incl. Rex Stewart's Ellingtonians '40, Eddie Davis's 'Lockjaw' session on Signature '46, on Decca with Billie Holiday '46 and '49, many more. His own sessions as a leader were few: Billy Kyle and his Swing Club Band on Variety '37, two quartet sides for Decca '39, a trio with Kirby on Disc and Billy Kyle's Big Eight on HRS '46. His elegant style was similar to that of Teddy Wilson and just as influential in its day, for example on Bud Powell. 'Planters Punch' '38 was one of Kyle's first recordings with Kirby and the difference he made was dramatic, playing several roles in two minutes and 20 seconds; on 'Sweet Georgia Brown' '39, 'Kyle's rising tremolo lunge behind [Buster] Bailey is probably unique in jazz accompaniment before Cecil Taylor' (J. R. Taylor). |