International Archives For The Jazz Organ (IAJO) - The Jazz Organ Scene USA

Charles Kynard

Charles (*1933) was a native of Kansas City, MO, who lived and played in Kansas City, MO, for over forty years. Charles received his early education in the Kansas City, KS public schools. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kansas at Lawrence; Post graduate work at UCLA, University of California at Long Beach; Avila University, Kansas City; the Ford Free University in Berlin/Germany; and the Hock Schule für Musik in Berlin/Germany. Charles started studying and playing music at the tender age of nine then switching from piano to the organ.

In 1956-1957, he touched the world with the U.S. Army show. He also appeared on the famous Ed Sullivan show in 1956; and with the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra. During the early 1960s, Charles often played as a guest organist at Municipal stadium at Kansas City Athletics baseball games.

In 1963, Charles moved to Los Angeles, CA, and worked in studio orchestras for Columbia Pictures, and Warner Brothers Pictures. He also worked with studio musicians in and around Hollywood. Charles, despite the number of albums produced, actually recorded infrequently choosing to appear nightly on the Los Angeles County and New York night club scenes.

Kynard was also an educator who taught mentally challenged children of both the Kansas City, MO, public school district and the Los Angeles County public school system. In his private studio, he would teach piano and organ to budding musicians of all ages. In addition to his love of several jazz genres that included soul, jazz, and acid jazz, Charles equally loved and played Gospel music much in the tradition of Fats Waller. To that end he served as organist at the First AME Church Los Angeles. Charles later led First AME Church of Pasadena as its Minister of Music and served as organist for the Fifth District of the AME Church.

Charles traveled and performed with Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Jimmy Witherspoon, in concerts in New York, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and other states. Charles had been performing with the popular stage drama, "Evolution of the Blues." Charles passed away in 1979 as he sat at the organ that day playing the music he loved so much.

from "Tribute To Charles Kynard" (www.kynard.com)

My Mother's Eyes Pacific Jazz PJ-71 released 1963 recorded May 1963 in Los Angeles, CA/USA	Sonny Stitt, tenor sax Ray Crawford, guitar Charles Kynard, organ Doug Sides, drums
Where It's At! Pacific Jazz PJ-72 released 1963 recorded 1963 in Hollywood, CA/USA	Charles Kynard, organ Clifford Scott, sax Howard Roberts, guitar Ray Crawford, guitar Milt Turner, drums Leroy Henderson, drums Ronnell Bright, piano
Something's Cookin Capitol T 2214 released 1965 recorded August 1964 in Hollywood, CA/USA	Howard Roberts, guitar Bob Enevoldsen, trombone Gilbert Falco, trombone Frank Rosolino, trombone Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone John Audino, trumpet Bobby Bryant, trumpet Al Porcino, trumpet Shorty Rogers, trumpet Jack Sheldon, trumpet Ray Triscari, trumpet Charles Kynard, organ Chuck Berghofer, bass Earl Palmer, drums Vic Feldman, percussion
Goodies Capitol ST2400 released 1965	Howard Roberts, guitar Donald Peake, guitar John Pisano, guitar Thomas Tedesco, guitar Henry Cain, organ Pete Jolly, organ Charles Kynard, organ Max Bennett, bass Charles Berghofer, bass John Gray, bass Carol Kaye, bass Hal Blaine, drums Larry Bunker, drums Frank Capp, drums Shelly Manne, drums Larry Bunker, percussion
Professor Soul Prestige 7599 released 1968 recorded August 1968 in Los Angeles, CA/USA	Charles Kynard, organ Cal Green, guitar Johnny Kirkwood, drums
The Soul Brotherhood Prestige 7630 released 1969 recorded March 1969 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA	Charles Kynard, organ David 'Fathead' Newman, tenor sax Blue Mitchell, trumpet Grant Green, guitar Jimmy Lewis, bass Mickey Roker, drums
Reelin' With The Feelin' Prestige 7688 released 1969 recorded August 1969 in Los Angeles, CA/USA	Charles Kynard, organ Wilton Felder, tenor sax Joe Pass, guitar Carol Kaye, bass Paul Humphrey, drums
Afro-Disiac Prestige 7796 released 1970 recorded April 1970 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA	Charles Kynard, organ Bernard Purdie, drums Jimmy Lewis, bass Grant Green, guitar Houston Person, tenor sax
Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People) Prestige 10008 released 1971 recorded 1970 in New Orleans, LA and Metairie, LA/USA	Charles Kynard, organ, piano Jimmy Lewis, bass Bernard Purdie, drums Idris Muhammad, drums Melvin Sparks, guitar Rusty Bryant, tenor sax Virgil Jones, trumpet
Charles Kynard Mainstream Records MRL 331 released 1971 recorded 1971 in USA	Charles Kynard, organ King Errison, conga Billy Fender, guitar James F. Gadson, drums Ernest J. Watts, tenor sax Carol Kaye, bass
Woga Mainstream Records MRL 366 released 1972 recorded 1972 in USA	Charles Kynard, organ Chuck Rainey, bass Arthur Adams, guitar David Roberts, trombone, bass trombone George Bohanon, trombone, bass trombone James Kartchner, trumpet, flugelhorn Jerome Rusch, trumpet, flugelhorn Paul Humphrey, drums
Freedom Jazz Dance Mainstream Records MRL 388 released 1972 recorded August 1971 in USA	Leonard Feather, piano Charles Kynard, organ Blue Mitchell, trumpet Earnie Watts, tenor sax Fred Robinson, trombone Chino Valdes, percussion Paul Humphrey, drums Max Bennett, bass
Your Mama Don't Dance Mainstream Records MRL 389 released 1973 recorded 1973 in USA	Charles Kynard, organ Chuck Rainey, bass Ray Pounds, drums Paul Humphrey, drums David Roberts, trombone, bass trombone George Bohanon, trombone, bass trombone Arthur Adams, guitar James Kartchner, trumpet, flugelhorn Jerome Rusch, trumpet, flugelhorn
The Last Tango = Blues Mainstream Records MRL 392 released 1973	Blue Mitchell, trumpet David Angel, alto sax, clarinet Steve Kravitz, baritone sax, bass clarinet Chuck Rainey, bass Darrell Clayborn, bass Ray Pounds, drums Jackie Kelso, flute David T. Walker, guitar Charles Kynard, organ Chino Valdes, percussion King Errisson, percussion Paul Humphrey, percussion Herman Riley, tenor sax Jackie Kelso, tenor sax
Booty Mainstream Records MRL 413 recorded 1974 in USA	Charles Kynard, organ Larry McGuire, trumpet Jerry Rusch, trumpet, flugelhorn David Roberts, trombone, bass trombone Paul Humphrey, drums Carol Kaye, bass Charles Mallory, guitar
Legends Of Acid Jazz Prestige PRCD 24219-23 tracks 01-06: originally released as Afro-Disiac, recorded April 1970 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA tracks 07-11: originally released as Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui recorded December 1970 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA	Charles Kynard, organ Houston Person, tenor sax Rusty Bryant, tenor sax Virgil Jones, trumpet Grant Green, guitar Melvin Sparks, guitar Jimmy Lewis, bass Bernard Purdie, drums Idris Muhammad, drums

contact:
homepage:	www.kynard.com (tribute site)

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