William McKinney
William McKinney | |
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| Born | September 17, 1895 Drums |
William "Bill" McKinney (September 17, 1895 – October 14, 1969) was an American jazz drummer who led a series of musical groups, most notably McKinney's Cotton Pickers.
Early life
McKinney was born in
circus band, then after serving in the United States Army in World War I settled in Springfield, Ohio
where he took over leadership of the Synco Jazz Band.
Career
After hiring drummer
U.S. Midwest, they got a residency at the Arcadia Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan in 1926. In Detroit they were heard by bandleader and music promoter Jean Goldkette, who arranged a more lucrative home base for the band in Detroit's Graystone Ballroom. The band was renamed McKinney's Cotton Pickers.[1]
After the band broke up in 1934 during the Great Depression, McKinney for a time led and played with a dance band in Boston, From 1937 on McKinney managed a Detroit Cafe with a dance floor and live bands who McKinney booked; he also booked bands for other locations on the side.
Bill McKinney retired in the 1950s and spent his last years in his childhood hometown of Cynthiana.
Further reading
- McKinney's Music by John Chilton, 1978, ISBN 978-0950129013
References
- ^ "McKinney, William "Bill" · Notable Kentucky African Americans Database". nkaa.uky.edu. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
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