Dave McKenna - R.I.P.

[stevebop]

From Songbirds:

I just heard from his sister Jean that Dave McKenna passed away peacefully late last night. As some of you know he'd been sidelined for the past few years -- living out in Pennsylvania close to his son Steve. Worsening conditions from diabetes and other issues kept him from playing in recent years. It was cancer that finally did him in. At least he got to see the Red Sox surprise win the other night.

Just two bars from Dave and he was immediately inside the song. His unique rhythmic thrust that sounded as if three hands were at work are a trademark of this world class piano stylist. But he also could caress a melody in a way that sounded as if he were singing just to you. Dave had an innate sense of just the right harmony to enrich a song without diminishing its integrity. Once he told me that Harold Arlen was one of his favorite writers and thought My Shining Hour to be the most perfect song. They'd met once when Dave was playing for a radio broadcast and the usual self-effacing McKenna seemed quite proud to relate how Arlen complimented his playing. I can well imagine Harold Arlen especially digging Dave.

McKenna admitted he preferred backing horn/reed players (i.e. Bobby Hackett, Zoot Sims, Dick Johnson, Scott Hamilton). He'd bellyache about having to take out glasses to read charts or transpose but Dave really did enjoy playing for singers he liked and he was great at it. I grew up listening to recordings he'd made with sister Jean. Those of us lucky enough to catch him through those years out at the Cape, Boston or in New York might occasionally get asked to sit in. It was like riding in a Cadillac. People on this list will know more extensively just who and how many singers he's recorded with through his career. Donna Byrne has a recent one and I'm grateful to have recorded three with Dave. I'll be interested in reading future posts about this. Of course the Teddi King album is a poignant beauty. I recall that Richard Sudhalter helped produce that project. He loved and wrote a lot about both Teddi and Dave. Hope they're all together somewhere now. Imagine the collective colossal treasure trove of songs these three could toss around. Now, that's an eternity I could dig.

[Paul B]

A great player, sorry to hear this.

RIP.

[Ron Thorne]

Dave's son, Steve, used to post on Jazz Corner and his presence is missed. We had some nice exchanges by PM and e-mail, including some of his Dad's recordings he was understandably proud to share with me.

His elegance, rhythmic sense and styling was all his own and will be greatly missed.

Heartfelt condolences to Steve and the entire McKenna family.



R.I.P., Dave McKenna~

[CRF Mark II]

Sad news.

[John L]

RIP

A piano was putty in Dave McKenna's hands. He was truly remarkable.

[Pete C]

My thoughts are with our old friend Steve M/Guinness Steve.

[Scott Yanow]

I loved his bass lines. His trio records with Scott Hamilton are classics and his solo sessions are great too.

[Lois Gilbert]

Indeed a special musician and beloved by all.


Our thoughts and prayers to Steve and the McKenna family.

[shrugs]

Another great left hand has left us. Let's hope some of the local scenes, like here in New Orleans, keep up the tradition.

Giant Strides, baby

[Mike Schwartz]

Huge loss to the music community......all the best in these hard times to Steve and the family.

Played the entire "Knowledge Medley" on the weekly program earlier this morning. The kind of music made by Masters

[bigtiny]

I had just moved to Boston in late 1980 and had never heard of Dave McKenna. I was listening daily to Ron DellaChiesa and Tony Cennamo on the radio and one day Cennamo played a record that I think was called "Spider's Blues" by Dick Johnson and the Dave McKenna rhythm section (which was Dave and his left hand!). I couldn't believe that one guy could play so much piano.....he was a great player. Sad to see him go.

bigtiny

[Robert de St. Loup]

Loved his records with Buddy DeFranco as well. RIP.

[Bill Barton]

R.I.P.

He will be missed... I never had the chance to hear him in live performance but the recordings - especially Left Handed Complement and the other Concords and the material with Zoot Sims - live on. A master.

[hornplayer]

My memories of him are at the piano in the bar at the Copley Plaza, my favorite place to meet friends for drinks in Boston. With Dave at the keyboard and your favorite libation in Waterford crystal, it was class, all the way.

Rest in peace, Dave McKenna.

[Ron Thorne]

I wish that I had been able to enjoy that experience, June.

When I was in Boston, I was a mere wide-eyed teen, happily opening the door to the Copley Plaza for the likes of Dina Washington.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

My condolences to Steve M. I consider myself fortunate to have met and enjoyed a brief conversation with the great Dave McKenna.

RIP - Mr. McKenna

[Root Doctor]

A wonderful musician. I have the fondest of memories of seeing him play at the Merry-Go-Round bar at the Copley Plaza. RIP.

[JPF]

I heard him at the Copley Plaza, on Cape Cod with Zoot Sims and also with his "No Bass Hit" trio with Scott Hamilton and Jake Hanna, and playing solo piano on a few occasions. I also was lucky enough to attend his two-piano concert in Boston with Teddy Wilson.

A great piano player and a nice guy. There won't be another like him.

[Pete C]

I only saw him play once. Previously, pianist Dick Miller, who idolized Dave, had told me about Dave's almost cultlike following among both pianists and fans (akin to Clapton is God), and I certainly saw that adoration and enthusiasm in good measure in the audience.

[rollhead]

A prized possession is a signed copy of this:

[clinthopson]

Condolences to the family.

The man was a powerhouse player, I love his style.

Probably my favorite is his Hoagy Carmichael disc.

I miss son Steve's posts.

[clarke68]

I saw him back in the '80s in a piano bar on top of the Hilton hotel in La Jolla, CA. I was pretty young, just getting into jazz and had never heard of him, was just trying to catch as much live music as possible in those days.

I talked to him a bit between sets...funny thing was the look of puzzled nonchalance he gave me when I told him, "man, you have the most amazing left hand!". Years later I realized I was probably the 10,000th person who had told him that.

Sad to know that I'll never get to hear that left hand in person again. RIP, Dave.

[Pete C]

He was probably tired of left-handed compliments. I'll bet you'd have gotten a smile if you'd praised his right hand.

[Guinness Steve]

Many, many thanks. My Dad had a great life. What a wonderful way to make a living. He simply played the piano. We will love him always.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Guinness Steve

Many, many thanks. My Dad had a great life. What a wonderful way to make a living. He simply played the piano. We will love him always.

thank you so much for posting, Steve. i know it means a lot to many of us. Your Dad was loved, respected and admired by many. who could really ask for more than that? thanks, again, and sincere condolences. it's a great loss for many but especially you.

[clinthopson]

I assume this schmuck will be kicked.

[Pete C]

I sent Lois an email.

[steve(thelil)]

I got a chance to see Dave perform live in upstate a few times. He was a semi-regular at the Van Dyck in Schenectady during its first incarnation. As many have pointed out, he had the most amazing and powerful left hand. I remember once he was playing a duet gig with someone (I forget who, maybe Scott Hamilton?) and it was billed as "Scott Hamilton (?) and the Dave McKenna Rhythm Section" (meaning that Dave McKenna by himself WAS a rhythm section.

A great loss. Condolences and best wishes to Steve McKenna, whose posts I remember fondly.

[Guinness Steve]

Again, heartfelt thanks. I would like to invite you all to Dad's tribute page. If you google my Dad you will see his home page which contains various information including a place you can leave an appreciation if you wish. Any details regarding his memorial will also be posted at the site. My thanks to you all for your kind words and wishes.

[Lois Gilbert]

The Memorial Tribute for Dave will be held on December 7, 2008 at the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center, 84 Cumberland Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island from 2-6 p.m.