Deane Kincaide(1911-1992)

American jazz multi-instrumentalist and arranger. From his teens, Kincaide was adept at playing piano, trombone and flute, later adding tenor saxophone to his repertoire. His first gig was with a local band in the late 1920's. During the next decade, he worked variously with Wingy Manone, Ben Pollack and Bob Crosby. In addition to featuring in Crosby's reed section, he came into his own as the orchestra's staff arranger and played a significant part in shaping its unique style. The 'Bobcats' took a major hit when Kincaide was lured away in March 1938 by Tommy Dorsey with the promise of greater financial rewards, along with trumpeters Yank Lawson and Charlie Spivak.

During the 1940's, Kincaide had brief spells with Ray Noble and Glenn Miller, and a longer one with Muggsy Spanier, for whose big band he created many fine arrangements. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Naval Air Force. In 1944, he was posted aboard the ill-fated Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Franklin, as part of a group led by former Hal Kemp vocalist Saxie Dowell. Following the war, Kincaide alternated free-lance arranging with playing and writing for both large (1946-50) and small (1956) outfits fronted by the drummer Ray McKinley. In 1962, he went on tour with Yank Lawson's band. Later, he diversified into television as orchestrator for The Jackie Gleason Show (1966) and as arranger for Walt Disney's Crystal Palace theme park 'Top of the World Jazz Club'. Deane Kincaid retired in 1981. He was a member of ASCAP and of the Songwriter's Guild of America. Among the best of his numerous arrangements are "Milenberg Joys" and "Royal Garden Blues" for Crosby, and "Hawaiian War Chant" and "Boogie Woogie" for Dorsey.