Dave McKenna

Dave McKenna (b. May 30 1930, Woonsocket, Rhode Island) was one of the top jazz swing pianists of the last 25 years. He is known for his "three-handed swing", and he is the leading proponent of solo piano style. Dave McKenna started out as a band pianist in the 50's and 60's: Starting out at the age of 15, McKenna played with Boots Mussulli (1947), Charlie Ventura (1949) and Woody Herman's Orchestra (1950-51). He then spent two years in the military, and re-joined Ventura (1953-54). He worked with a variety of top swing and Dixieland musicians including Gene Krupa, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Eddie Condon, Bobby Hackett but became primarily a soloist after 1967, especially in the Northeast United States. He also played with Bob Wilber in the late '70s McKenna had a long career, but one that was not as distinguished as it might have been. He started being recognised in the 1970s. He chose to play in his local area rather than travel extensively. He preferred playing in clubs and... full article at wikipedia