Dave McKenna

Dave McKenna (May 30, 1930 – October 18, 2008) He then spent two years in the military, in the Korea War, before returning to Ventura (1953–54). and often with Bob Wilber and Bobby Hackett. McKenna released his first solo album in 1955. During the 1980s, he worked as a pianist at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.

Recordings McKenna recorded extensively from 1958–2002, beginning with ABC-Paramount (1956), Epic (1958), Bethlehem (1960) and Realm (1963). He made several recordings for Chiaroscuro in the 1970s, including his comeback album Solo Piano. He debuted with the Concord Jazz label in 1979, for whom he recorded many albums as both a soloist and group member.

Musical style McKenna's musical style relied on two key elements relating to his choices of tunes and set selection, and the method of playing that has come to be known as "three-handed swing".

His renditions usually began with a spare, open statement of the melody; or, on ballads, a freely played, richly harmonized one. He then often stated the theme a second time, gradually bringing in more harmony or a stronger pulse.

McKenna liked to create medleys around a common word or theme in song titles. He often combined ballads and up-tempo songs with standards, pop tunes, blues, and TV themes and folk songs.

Death McKenna died on October 18, 2008, in State College, Pennsylvania at the age of 78 from lung cancer.

Partial discography As leader Solo Piano (ABC-Paramount, 1956) The Piano Scene of Dave McKenna (Epic, 1959) Solo Piano (Chiaroscuro, 1973) Cookin' at Michael's Pub (Halcyon, 1973) Dave "Fingers" McKenna (Chiaroscuro, 1977) No Bass Hit (Concord Jazz, 1979) Giant Strides (Concord Jazz, 1979) Piano Mover (Concord Jazz, 1981) Bill Evans: A Tribute (Palo Alto, 1982) A Celebration of Hoagy Carmichael (Concord Jazz, 1983) Dancing in the Dark and Other Music of Arthur Schwartz (Concord Jazz, 1986) My Friend the Piano (Concord Jazz, 1987) No More Ouzo for Puzo (Concord Jazz, 1989) Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Two (Concord Jazz, 1989) Christmas Ivory (Concord Jazz, 1997) An Intimate Evening With Dave McKenna (Arbors, 2002)

As sideman With Ed Bickert Bye Bye Baby (Concord, 1984) With Urbie Green Blues and Other Shades of Green (ABC-Paramount, 1955) All About Urbie Green and His Big Band (ABC-Paramount, 1956) With Bobby Hackett Creole Cookin' (Verve, 1967)

With Teddi King This is New (1977)

With Zoot Sims From A to...Z (RCA Victor, 1956), The Al Cohn/Zoot Sims Sextet Down Home (Bethlehem, 1960)