You may well have met Tony Kinsey, long term Sunbury resident. You may even have heard him perform. But did you know how significant a part he played in the heyday of the jazz scene, playing with household names and running his own band?
Jazz was clearly in his blood. The beat got Tony Kinsey as a small boy and never left him. He was first drawn to the jazz beat while waiting outside a pub in the car for his dad (as you did in those days!). The jazz band struck up and Tony, pressing his nose against the window, was transfixed. He was given a toy drum kit by his parents and would practice constantly. He took to drumming on the arms of the leather furniture, anything to create a beat. So aged 16 he was given his first ‘proper’ drum kit, complete with TK initials, and his path in life was sealed.
Although his parents wanted a different career for their son, jazz was where he felt alive. He followed his dream to the London clubs in 1948. Many musicians would walk down Archer Street, in the heart of Soho, looking for a chance to perform and get a break. Tony got his lucky break getting a gig at the Embassy Club. He excelled and was offered the chance of a job on the Queen Mary on transatlantic trips to New York and completed 17 trips. (Editor’s note: My great Aunt Mabel was on one these trips. It is funny to think that she may well have enjoyed his music onboard). During his time in New York he absorbed all he could from American musicians such as Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke and Max Roach, as well as many small jazz bands he heard there.
The 1950’s was a golden era. Post war freedom of expression was everywhere. In fashion, Dior created ‘the look’, leaving the utilitarian and safe fashion of the 40’s behind in favour of something exotic, impractical but stunning! In the music world, jazz allowed expression in the same way. What an era it was. Tony Kinsey excelled. His style had developed during his New York trips and he was at the top of his game in the 50’s. Back in London he was invited to join a new small band – The Jonny Dankworth Seven. He went on to support various jazz stars, including a two week gig with Lena Horne at the London Palladium. He then joined his old friend Ronnie Ball at Studio 51 which was at the heart of the 50’s jazz scene. When Ronnie left for the US, Tony took over as band leader and started his own Tony Kinsey Trio. After a period at the 51 Club, the Tony Kinsey Trio was invited to take up residency at the Flamingo Club, the premier jazz club at the time. The trio became a quartet then a quintet. During this period in the early 50’s Tony and his band were playing with legends such as Sarah Vaughan. Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. His performance with Billie Holiday received many accolades. Jazz magazines and papers were in awe of Tony, referring to him as the “greatest modern drummer in this country”. He continued to perform to rave reviews until well into his 80’s.