Kirkeby, “Ed” Wallace Theodore

Kirkeby, “Ed” Wallace Theodore, jazz band leader, manager; b. Brooklyn, N.Y., Oct. 10, 1891;d. June 12, 1978. His father was a part-time banjo player. Kirkeby played banjo, mandolin, and piano, but began work as a soap salesman before joining Columbia as a record promoter in 1916. He later became assistant director of popular recordings and managed the first dates for the Original Memphis Five. He also worked in music publishing. In 1920 he began managing The California Ramblers, who soon began a long residency at the Post Lodge in Westchester and subsequently commenced their prolific recordings. They also did sessions under a variety of pseudonyms (the Goofus Five, Univ. Six, Five Birmingham Babies, etc.). In 1926 Kirkeby led a band for a season at the Club Deauville (Miami), organized the McAlpineers for residency at the Hotel McAlpin (N.Y., 1928). During the 1920s and 1930s he organized bands for prolific recordings and extensive broadcasting (pseudonyms included Ted Wallace, Ed Loyd). He subsequently managed the Pickens Sisters and became an A&R man for RCA Victor. In 1938 he became Fats Waller’s manager and travelled with Fats for the last five years of the pianist’s life. He was with him on his last journey. He continued in management and for many years represented the Deep River Boys.

Writings

With Duncan Schiedt and Sinclair Traili, Ain’t Misbehavin’’, The Story of Fats Waller (1966).

—John Chilton, Who‘s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter