Tuba and string bass player, formerly member of the Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson Orchestras. Leader of the John Kirby Sextet from 1937, resident at the Onyx Club in New York. The group included among its personnel Buster Bailey, Russell Procope, Charlie Shavers and Billy Kyle. Kirby's publicity line was 'The Biggest Little Band in the Land'. He was at the peak of his popularity prior to the onset of the Second World War.
