BIOGRAPHY
Charles Kynard (20 February 1933 – 8 July 1979) was an
American soul jazz/acid jazz organist born in Kansas City,
Missouri.
Kynard first played piano then switched to organ and led a
trio in Kansas City including Tex Johnson (flute, sax) and
Leroy Anderson (drums). In 1963, he settled to Los Angeles
and his band featured guitarists Cal Green and Ray Crawford,
drummer Johnny Kirkwood.
Charles Kynard (20 February 1933 – 8 July 1979) was an
American soul jazz/acid jazz organist born in Kansas City,
Missouri.
Kynard first played piano then switched to organ and led a
trio in Kansas City including Tex Johnson (flute, sax) and
Leroy Anderson (drums). In 1963, he settled to Los Angeles
and his band featured guitarists Cal Green and Ray Crawford,
drummer Johnny Kirkwood.
Organist Charles Kynard is best known for his 1968-1971
albums on Prestige Records.
His uncle Ben Kynard played sax in Lionel Hampton's band
from 1946 to 1953.
He learned piano as a child.
He started playing clubs while attending the University of
Kansas. That's when he switched to organ.
While in the US Army, he toured with their band.
In the early 60s, Kynard played organ at Kansas City A's games.
albums on Prestige Records.
His uncle Ben Kynard played sax in Lionel Hampton's band
from 1946 to 1953.
He learned piano as a child.
He started playing clubs while attending the University of
Kansas. That's when he switched to organ.
While in the US Army, he toured with their band.
In the early 60s, Kynard played organ at Kansas City A's games.
Where It's At!
Year: 1963
Label: Pacific Jazz
SONGS:
1. 3:37 "I'll Fly Away" (Albert E. Brumley)
2. 2:42 "Amazing Grace" (John Newton)
3. 2:37 "Motherless Child" (Traditional)
4. 4:47 "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow" (Hezekiah Walker)
5. 2:20 "I Want To Be Ready"
6. 3:12 "Smooth Sailing"
7. 5:13 "I Wonder"
8. 3:24 "Blue Greens and Beans" (Mal Waldron)
9. 5:03 "Sports Lament"
10. 3:45 "Where It's At"
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Year: 1963
Label: Pacific Jazz
SONGS:
1. 3:37 "I'll Fly Away" (Albert E. Brumley)
2. 2:42 "Amazing Grace" (John Newton)
3. 2:37 "Motherless Child" (Traditional)
4. 4:47 "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow" (Hezekiah Walker)
5. 2:20 "I Want To Be Ready"
6. 3:12 "Smooth Sailing"
7. 5:13 "I Wonder"
8. 3:24 "Blue Greens and Beans" (Mal Waldron)
9. 5:03 "Sports Lament"
10. 3:45 "Where It's At"
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
| ALBUMS in chronological order (1963-1973) |
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
Clifford Scott - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone (tracks 2–10)
Ronnell Bright - piano (track 1)
Ray Crawford (track 1), Howard Roberts (tracks 2–10) - guitar
Leroy Henderson (track 1), Milt Turner (tracks 2–10) - drums
Charles Kynard - organ
Clifford Scott - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone (tracks 2–10)
Ronnell Bright - piano (track 1)
Ray Crawford (track 1), Howard Roberts (tracks 2–10) - guitar
Leroy Henderson (track 1), Milt Turner (tracks 2–10) - drums
Warm Winds
With Buddy Collette
Year: 1964
Label: World Pacific
SONGS:
1. 3:07 "Strong Breeze"
2. 2:50 "Mamblues" (Cal Tjader)
3. 3:49 "Blue Sands" (Buddy Collette)
4. 4:25 "Warm Winds" (Tex Johnson)
5. 3:35 "Cubano Chant" (Ray Bryant)
6. 3:00 "Watermelon Bag"
7. 4:17 "Satin Doll" (Duke Ellington)
8. 5:00 "Guachi Guaro" (Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie)
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
With Buddy Collette
Year: 1964
Label: World Pacific
SONGS:
1. 3:07 "Strong Breeze"
2. 2:50 "Mamblues" (Cal Tjader)
3. 3:49 "Blue Sands" (Buddy Collette)
4. 4:25 "Warm Winds" (Tex Johnson)
5. 3:35 "Cubano Chant" (Ray Bryant)
6. 3:00 "Watermelon Bag"
7. 4:17 "Satin Doll" (Duke Ellington)
8. 5:00 "Guachi Guaro" (Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie)
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
Buddy Collette - flute
John Rae - vibraphone, timbales
Al McKibbon - bass
Doug Sides - drums
Bill Fitch - congas
Armando Peraza - congas, bongos, wido
Nick Martinez - wido, timbales
Charles Kynard - organ
Buddy Collette - flute
John Rae - vibraphone, timbales
Al McKibbon - bass
Doug Sides - drums
Bill Fitch - congas
Armando Peraza - congas, bongos, wido
Nick Martinez - wido, timbales
| The Jazz Music of Organist CHARLES KYNARD |
Professor Soul
Year: 1968
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 6:47 "Professor Soul"
2. 4:34 "Cristo Redentor" (Duke Pearson)
3. 6:45 "Song of Delilah" (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Victor Young)
4. 5:42 "Sister Lovie" (Johnny Kirkwood, J. Allen)
5. 7:50 "By The Time I Get to Phoenix" (Jimmy Webb)
6. 5:27 "J.C"
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Year: 1968
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 6:47 "Professor Soul"
2. 4:34 "Cristo Redentor" (Duke Pearson)
3. 6:45 "Song of Delilah" (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Victor Young)
4. 5:42 "Sister Lovie" (Johnny Kirkwood, J. Allen)
5. 7:50 "By The Time I Get to Phoenix" (Jimmy Webb)
6. 5:27 "J.C"
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
Cal Green - guitar
Johnny Kirkwood - drums
Charles Kynard - organ
Cal Green - guitar
Johnny Kirkwood - drums
The Soul Brotherhood
Year: 1969
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 6:06 "The Soul Brotherhood"
2. 7:22 "Big City" (Marvin Jenkins)
3. 7:40 "Jealjon"
4. 10:00 "Piece O' Pisces" (David "Fathead" Newman)
5. 8:55 "Blue Farouq" (Blue Mitchell)
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Year: 1969
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 6:06 "The Soul Brotherhood"
2. 7:22 "Big City" (Marvin Jenkins)
3. 7:40 "Jealjon"
4. 10:00 "Piece O' Pisces" (David "Fathead" Newman)
5. 8:55 "Blue Farouq" (Blue Mitchell)
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
Blue Mitchell - trumpet
David "Fathead" Newman - tenor saxophone
Grant Green - guitar
Jimmy Lewis - electric bass
Mickey Roker - drums
Charles Kynard - organ
Blue Mitchell - trumpet
David "Fathead" Newman - tenor saxophone
Grant Green - guitar
Jimmy Lewis - electric bass
Mickey Roker - drums
Reelin' with the Feelin'
Year: 1969
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 7:15 "Reelin' with the Feelin'"
2. 4:56 "Soul Reggae" (Carol Kaye)
3. 6:33 "Slow Burn"
4. 6:23 "Boogalooin'"
5. 6:19 "Be My Love" (Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn)
6. 5:07 "Stomp" (Wilton Felder)
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Year: 1969
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 7:15 "Reelin' with the Feelin'"
2. 4:56 "Soul Reggae" (Carol Kaye)
3. 6:33 "Slow Burn"
4. 6:23 "Boogalooin'"
5. 6:19 "Be My Love" (Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn)
6. 5:07 "Stomp" (Wilton Felder)
All compositions by Charles Kynard except as indicated.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
Wilton Felder - tenor saxophone
Joe Pass - guitar
Carol Kaye - electric bass
Paul Humphrey - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger (tracks 1 & 3-6)
Charles Kynard - organ
Wilton Felder - tenor saxophone
Joe Pass - guitar
Carol Kaye - electric bass
Paul Humphrey - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger (tracks 1 & 3-6)
Afro-Disiac
Year: 1970
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 4:52 "Afro-Disiac"
2. 5:03 "Bella Donna"
3. 9:00 "Trippin'" (Charles Kynard)
4. 7:07 "Odds On"
5. 7:52 "Sweetheart" (Winfield Scott)
6. 5:00 "Chanson Du Nuit"
All compositions by Richard Fritz except where noted.
Year: 1970
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 4:52 "Afro-Disiac"
2. 5:03 "Bella Donna"
3. 9:00 "Trippin'" (Charles Kynard)
4. 7:07 "Odds On"
5. 7:52 "Sweetheart" (Winfield Scott)
6. 5:00 "Chanson Du Nuit"
All compositions by Richard Fritz except where noted.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard – organ
Houston Person – tenor saxophone
Grant Green – guitar
Jimmy Lewis – electric bass
Bernard Purdie – drums
Richard Fritz – arranger (tracks 1, 2, 4 & 6)
Charles Kynard – organ
Houston Person – tenor saxophone
Grant Green – guitar
Jimmy Lewis – electric bass
Bernard Purdie – drums
Richard Fritz – arranger (tracks 1, 2, 4 & 6)
Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui
Year: 1971
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 7:50 "Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People)" (Richard Fritz)
2. 4:33 "Winter's Child" (Fritz)
3. 6:10 "Zebra Walk" (Kynard)
4. 9:40 "Something" (George Harrison)
5. 9:00 "Change Up" (Kynard)
Year: 1971
Label: Prestige
SONGS:
1. 7:50 "Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People)" (Richard Fritz)
2. 4:33 "Winter's Child" (Fritz)
3. 6:10 "Zebra Walk" (Kynard)
4. 9:40 "Something" (George Harrison)
5. 9:00 "Change Up" (Kynard)
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ, electric piano
Virgil Jones - trumpet
Rusty Bryant - tenor saxophone
Melvin Sparks - guitar
Jimmy Lewis - electric bass
Idris Muhammad (tracks 1-3 & 5), Bernard Purdie (track 4) - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger (tracks 1 & 2)
Charles Kynard - organ, electric piano
Virgil Jones - trumpet
Rusty Bryant - tenor saxophone
Melvin Sparks - guitar
Jimmy Lewis - electric bass
Idris Muhammad (tracks 1-3 & 5), Bernard Purdie (track 4) - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger (tracks 1 & 2)
Charles Kynard
Year: 1971
Label: Mainstream
SONGS:
1. 3:10 "El Torro Poo Poo"
2. 4:37 "Greeze"
3. 6:31 "She"
4. 6:42 "Grits"
5. 4:37 "Greens"
6. 2:26 "Nightwood"
7. 9:18 "It's Too Late" (Carole King, Toni Stern)
All compositions by Richard Fritz except as indicated.
Year: 1971
Label: Mainstream
SONGS:
1. 3:10 "El Torro Poo Poo"
2. 4:37 "Greeze"
3. 6:31 "She"
4. 6:42 "Grits"
5. 4:37 "Greens"
6. 2:26 "Nightwood"
7. 9:18 "It's Too Late" (Carole King, Toni Stern)
All compositions by Richard Fritz except as indicated.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard – organ
Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone
Billy Fender – guitar
Carol Kaye – electric bass
James Gadson – drums
King Errisson – congas
Charles Kynard – organ
Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone
Billy Fender – guitar
Carol Kaye – electric bass
James Gadson – drums
King Errisson – congas
Woga
Year: 1972
Label: Mainstream
SONGS:
1. 3:04 "Little Ghetto Boy" (Earl DuRouen, Edward Howard)
2. 4:32 "Hot Sauce"
3. 3:43 "Lime Twig"
4. 9:12 "Slop Jar"
5. 3:13 "Rock Steady" (Aretha Franklin)
6. 3:21 "Name the Missing Word" (Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher,
Raymond Jackson)
7. 2:58 "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" (Ewan MacColl)
8. 6:15 "Shout"
All compositions by Richard Fritz except as indicated.
Year: 1972
Label: Mainstream
SONGS:
1. 3:04 "Little Ghetto Boy" (Earl DuRouen, Edward Howard)
2. 4:32 "Hot Sauce"
3. 3:43 "Lime Twig"
4. 9:12 "Slop Jar"
5. 3:13 "Rock Steady" (Aretha Franklin)
6. 3:21 "Name the Missing Word" (Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher,
Raymond Jackson)
7. 2:58 "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" (Ewan MacColl)
8. 6:15 "Shout"
All compositions by Richard Fritz except as indicated.
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
James Kartchner, Jerry Rusch - trumpet
George Bohanon, David Roberts - trombone
Arthur Adams - guitar
Chuck Rainey - electric bass
Paul Humphrey - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger, conductor
Charles Kynard - organ
James Kartchner, Jerry Rusch - trumpet
George Bohanon, David Roberts - trombone
Arthur Adams - guitar
Chuck Rainey - electric bass
Paul Humphrey - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger, conductor
Your Mama Don't Dance
Year: 1973
Label: Mainstream
SONGS:
1. 4:44 "Superstition" (Stevie Wonder)
2. 2:59 "The World Is a Ghetto" (War)
3. 3:26 "Momma Jive" (Richard Fritz)
4. 5:06 "I Got So Much Trouble" (Joe Quarterman)
5. 2:36 "Your Mama Don't Dance" (Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina)
6. 5:34 "Zambezi" (Fritz)
7. 3:25 "Summer Breeze" (Jim Seals, Dash Crofts)
8. 3:47 "You've Got It Bad Girl" (Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright)
Year: 1973
Label: Mainstream
SONGS:
1. 4:44 "Superstition" (Stevie Wonder)
2. 2:59 "The World Is a Ghetto" (War)
3. 3:26 "Momma Jive" (Richard Fritz)
4. 5:06 "I Got So Much Trouble" (Joe Quarterman)
5. 2:36 "Your Mama Don't Dance" (Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina)
6. 5:34 "Zambezi" (Fritz)
7. 3:25 "Summer Breeze" (Jim Seals, Dash Crofts)
8. 3:47 "You've Got It Bad Girl" (Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright)
Personnel:
Charles Kynard - organ
James Kartchner, Jerry Rusch - trumpet
George Bohanon, David Roberts - trombone
Arthur Adams - guitar
Chuck Rainey - electric bass
Paul Humphrey, Raymond Pounds - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger, conductor
Charles Kynard - organ
James Kartchner, Jerry Rusch - trumpet
George Bohanon, David Roberts - trombone
Arthur Adams - guitar
Chuck Rainey - electric bass
Paul Humphrey, Raymond Pounds - drums
Richard Fritz - arranger, conductor
He moved to Los Angeles in 1963 to become a special needs teacher. He played clubs at night
and he even played organ at his local church every Sunday.
Kynard first recorded as a leader for World Pacific in 1963. He worked frequently with guitarist
Howard Roberts and that got him into the LA studio scene where he worked on film music.
Kynard also toured with Gladys Knight and Jimmy Witherspoon.
Kynard signed with Prestige Records in 1968.
After five albums for Prestige, Kynard recorded three albums for Mainstream.
His final album was in 1973. At that point, he occasionally played clubs. But he concentrated on
his teaching job until his death on July 8, 1979 at age 46.
One current musician and Missouri native who is a big Kynard fan is Pat Metheny.
A Tribute To Charles Kynard (another web site)
and he even played organ at his local church every Sunday.
Kynard first recorded as a leader for World Pacific in 1963. He worked frequently with guitarist
Howard Roberts and that got him into the LA studio scene where he worked on film music.
Kynard also toured with Gladys Knight and Jimmy Witherspoon.
Kynard signed with Prestige Records in 1968.
After five albums for Prestige, Kynard recorded three albums for Mainstream.
His final album was in 1973. At that point, he occasionally played clubs. But he concentrated on
his teaching job until his death on July 8, 1979 at age 46.
One current musician and Missouri native who is a big Kynard fan is Pat Metheny.
A Tribute To Charles Kynard (another web site)
Charles Kynard also played on these albums:
| Tom Waits Blue Valentine (Asylum, 1978) |
| Les McCann The Gospel Truth (Fontana, 1963) |
| Sonny Stitt My Mother's Eyes (Pacific Jazz, 1963) |
| Clifford Scott Lavender Sax (World Pacific, 1964) |
| Johnny Almond Hollywood Blues (Deram, 1969) |
| Howard Roberts Something's Cookin (Capitol, 1965) |
| Howard Roberts Goodies (Capitol, 1965) |
| Blue Mitchell Booty (Mainstream, 1974) |
| Paul Jeffrey Paul Jeffrey (Mainstream, 1974) |
| Blue Mitchell The Last Tango = Blues (Mainstream, 1973) |
ARTIST PROFILE (from another web site)
Charles Kynard (1935-79) was a gifted jazz and gospel organist. By day, he maintained a full-time career
working with kids with special needs and taught piano between gigs and his job. He only recorded
infrequently, doing sessions and two albums under his own name for Pacific Jazz in the early 1960s and
several sessions and three records under his own name for Mainstream Records during 1971-1974.
It is perhaps the four records he did for Prestige between 1968-1970 that the organixt is best known for.
Legends of Acid Jazz combines the last two of these, Afro-Disiac and Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui. On both, Kynard
showcases his remarkable ability to exploit the heck out of an interesting groove. The best of his originals
usually stick to variations of the blues or out-and-out boogaloos. But it's the machine-gun attack of his
left hand and the churning grind he maintains with his feet - despite the ever-presence of a bassist - that
separates Kynard's playing from the crowd.
The counterpoint he offers with his right hand is what usually puts the fun in his funk. Afro-Disiac pits the
organist in a quintet with tenor staple Houston Person and elevated by the presence of guitarist Grant
Green. This was a reunion of sort for Kynard and Green, the two having appeared together on 1968's
The Soul Brotherhood. The originals, mostly by Kynard's school chum Richard Fritz, and Kynard's eloquent
cushioning offer an ideal environment for the guitarist - much more favorable than Green's own recordings
from the period.
Kynard is more of a featured presence on the Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui adding his electric piano stylings to "Winter's
Child" and the dance floor classic, "Zebra Walk." Here, Kynard revels in a sextet that features the much
lamented honker Rusty Bryant, trumpeter Virgil Jones and guitarist Melvin Sparks. The tunes aren't as
memorable as the first session and the playing doesn't have the edge or energy that Kynard could generate
elsewhere (for evidence, check out the monster Reelin' with the Feelin', which is paired with Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui
on the British BGP CD.)
The "Legend Of Acid Jazz" is worth hearing and exploring and for fans of guitarist Grant Green, the first
six songs are required listening.
Charles Kynard (1935-79) was a gifted jazz and gospel organist. By day, he maintained a full-time career
working with kids with special needs and taught piano between gigs and his job. He only recorded
infrequently, doing sessions and two albums under his own name for Pacific Jazz in the early 1960s and
several sessions and three records under his own name for Mainstream Records during 1971-1974.
It is perhaps the four records he did for Prestige between 1968-1970 that the organixt is best known for.
Legends of Acid Jazz combines the last two of these, Afro-Disiac and Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui. On both, Kynard
showcases his remarkable ability to exploit the heck out of an interesting groove. The best of his originals
usually stick to variations of the blues or out-and-out boogaloos. But it's the machine-gun attack of his
left hand and the churning grind he maintains with his feet - despite the ever-presence of a bassist - that
separates Kynard's playing from the crowd.
The counterpoint he offers with his right hand is what usually puts the fun in his funk. Afro-Disiac pits the
organist in a quintet with tenor staple Houston Person and elevated by the presence of guitarist Grant
Green. This was a reunion of sort for Kynard and Green, the two having appeared together on 1968's
The Soul Brotherhood. The originals, mostly by Kynard's school chum Richard Fritz, and Kynard's eloquent
cushioning offer an ideal environment for the guitarist - much more favorable than Green's own recordings
from the period.
Kynard is more of a featured presence on the Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui adding his electric piano stylings to "Winter's
Child" and the dance floor classic, "Zebra Walk." Here, Kynard revels in a sextet that features the much
lamented honker Rusty Bryant, trumpeter Virgil Jones and guitarist Melvin Sparks. The tunes aren't as
memorable as the first session and the playing doesn't have the edge or energy that Kynard could generate
elsewhere (for evidence, check out the monster Reelin' with the Feelin', which is paired with Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui
on the British BGP CD.)
The "Legend Of Acid Jazz" is worth hearing and exploring and for fans of guitarist Grant Green, the first
six songs are required listening.
Charles Kynard – Legends Of Acid Jazz
CD compilation released 1999
SONGS:
1. 4:52 Afro-Disiac
2. 5:03 Bella Donna
3. 9:05 Trippin'
4. 7:13 Odds On
5. 7:52 Sweetheart
6. 5:00 Chanson De Nuit
7. 7:50 Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People)
8. 4:33 Winter's Child
9. 6:10 Zebra Walk
10. 9:29 Something
11. 9:00 Change Up
(The first six songs are from his album Afro-Disiac.
The last five songs are from his album Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui.)
CD compilation released 1999
SONGS:
1. 4:52 Afro-Disiac
2. 5:03 Bella Donna
3. 9:05 Trippin'
4. 7:13 Odds On
5. 7:52 Sweetheart
6. 5:00 Chanson De Nuit
7. 7:50 Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui (Beautiful People)
8. 4:33 Winter's Child
9. 6:10 Zebra Walk
10. 9:29 Something
11. 9:00 Change Up
(The first six songs are from his album Afro-Disiac.
The last five songs are from his album Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui.)
Note: In my opinion, Kynard plays Soul Jazz or Funk Jazz, not Acid Jazz.
I created this page January 7, 2024 - Dan
Site Map
I created this page January 7, 2024 - Dan
Site Map
| Sample Song - Afro Disiac Unfortunately, I can find no live video of Kynard playing. |