Artist:
Zez Confrey
- Born April 03, 1895 in Peru, IL
- Died November 22, 1971 in Lakewood, NJ
- Period: Modern (1870-)
- Country: USA
- Genres: Keyboard
Biography
It's been many years -- indeed, several decades -- since the piano "novelties" of Zez Confrey were heard in parlors and living rooms throughout America; but, as the Grammy nomination for a 1999 Naxos-released CD of Confrey's piano music demonstrates, there are still plenty for whom this music is tasty.Born Edward Elzear Confrey, he learned the piano as a child and, as a young man, studied classical music at the Chicago Musical College. In 1915, he formed a band with his brother, but its activities were ended when the U.S. entered World War I and Confrey joined the Navy. While serving, Confrey played in a duo with a violinist named Benny Kabelski, who would later go on to achieve great fame as comedian Jack Benny. After the war, Confrey was active as both pianist and bandleader, his piano playing being heard by thousands across America both on live radio and through the 171 piano rolls that he made. He played for a time in the Paul Whiteman Band and in 1924, performed his most famous piano bon-bon, Kitten on the Keys, at the famous Paul Whiteman-organized concert at which George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue was premiered. Changes in popular musical style and taste did nothing to hinder Confrey from making a series of recordings during the 1930s (mostly for Victor Records and Brunswick), but he could not stay on the cutting edge during the 1940s and in the late '50s, he disappeared from the scene altogether.
Confrey composed dozens of short piano pieces, all of which have colorful names. Kitten on the Keys (1922) and Sittin' on a Log (1934) were hits in their day, and the next generation got to know the tune Stumbling (originally written 1922) through the 1967 Julie Andrews/Mary Tyler Moore film Thoroughly Modern Millie. Yet another generation later, pianist Eteri Andjaparidze and Naxos Records were nominated for a Grammy Award for their 1999 disc of Confrey piano novelties. Though written in a thoroughly popular idiom, Confrey's music can be terrifically taxing for the pianist who chooses to tackle it. ~ Blair Johnston, All Music Guide
