Zez Confrey

Edward Elzear "Zez" Confrey (3 April 1895 – 22 November 1971) was an American composer and performer of novelty piano and jazz music. His most noted works were "Kitten on the Keys" and "Dizzy Fingers." Studying at the Chicago Musical College and becoming enthralled by French impressionists played a critical role in how he composed and performed music.

Early life and education Confrey was born in Peru, Illinois, By 1916 he was a staff pianist for Witmarks in Chicago. He also enlisted in the US Navy in 1917.

Career

After World War I, Confrey became a pianist and arranger for the QRS piano roll company. "Dizzy Fingers" (1923) was Confrey's other biggest seller.

List of known works

For piano unless otherwise indicated. "Afghanistan" (1920) "My Pet" (1921) "Kitten on the Keys" (1921) "You Tell 'em Ivories" (1921) "Poor Buttermilk" (1921) "Greenwich Witch" (1921) "Kitten on the Keys" - song (1922) "Stumbling" (1922) "Stumbling – Paraphrase" (1922) "Coaxing the Piano" (1922) "Dumbell" (1922) "Tricks" (1922) "By the Saphire Sea" - Song (1922) "Nickel in the Slot" (1923) "Dizzy Fingers" (1923) "Three Little Oddities" (1923) (for piano or violin and piano) "Impromptu" "Romanza" "Novelette" "African Suite" (1924) "High Hattin'" "Kinda Careless" "Mississippi Shivers" "Anticipation" (1924) "Charleston Chuckles" (1925) "Fantasy – Jazz Arrangement" (1925) "Humorestless" (1925) "Flower Song" (1925) "Spring Song" (1925) "Home Sweet Home" (1925) "Melody in F" (1925) "Traumerei" (1925) "Fantasy – Classical" (1926) "Jay Walk" (1927) "Jack in the Box" (1927) "Walse Mirage" (1927) "Sparkling Waters" (1928) "Concert Etude" (1929) "Heaven's Garden" (1931) "Heaven's Garden – Song" (1931) "Moods of a New Yorker" (1932) "At Dusk" "Movie Ballet" "Relaxation" "After Theatre – Tango" "Buffoon" (1932) "Champagne" (1932) "Desert Dance" (1932) "In the South of France" (1932) "Indian Prayer" (1932) "Phantom Cadets" (1932) "Wistfullness" (1932) "Grandfather's Clock" (1933) "Sittin' on a Log Pettin' My Dog" (1933) "Smart Alec" (1933) "Giddy Ditty" (1935) "Rhythm Venture" (1935) "Arabian Maid" (1935) "A Heart Like the Ocean" (1935) "Lullaby from Mars" (1935) "Mouses' Hooves" (1935) "Tin Pan Symphony" (1935) "The Birds' Carnival" (1935) "Blue Tornado" (1935) "Rag Doll Dimples" (1935) "Audacity" (1936) "Meandering" (1936) "Tap Dance of the Chimes" (1936) "Ultra-Ultra" (1936) "Oriental Fantasy" (1936) "Home-Run on the Keys" (1936) "Midsummer's Nightmare" (1936) "Motif Du Concert" (1936) "Wise Cracker Suite" (1936) "Yokel Opus" "Mighty Lackawanna" "The Sheriff's Lament" "Sugar Dance" (1936) "Sunshine from the Fingers" (1936) "Sport Model Encore" (1937) "The Hobble De Hoy" (1938) "Della Robbia" (1938) "That Old Piano Roll Band" (1943) "Dancing Shadow" (1944) "Elihu's Harmonica" (1944) "Parade of the Jumping Beans" (1944) "Pickle Pepper Polka" (1944) "Tune For Mademoiselle" (1944) "Amazonia" (1945) "Butterfly" (1945) "Flutter By, Butterfly" (1945) "Rag Doll Carnival" (1945) "Four Candy Pieces" (1949) "Song of Thanksgiving" (1952) "Four Circus Pieces" (1959) "Fourth Dimension" (1959)

Selected discography Zez Confrey: Creator of the Novelty Rag, Zez Confrey (1976) The Dancing Twenties, Various Artists (1976) The Piano Roll Artistry of Zez Confrey, Zez Confrey (1982) Kitten on the Keys: The Piano Music of Zez Confrey, (1983, Dick Hyman)