Edward Elzear "Zez" Confrey (3 April 1895 – 22 November 1971)[1] was an American composer and performer of novelty piano and jazz music. His most noted works were "Kitten on the Keys" and "Dizzy Fingers." Studying at the Chicago Musical College and becoming enthralled by French impressionists played a critical role in how he composed and performed music.[2]
The sheet music for "Dizzy Fingers".
Kitten on the Keys (1921)
Zez Confrey's first hit, "Kitten on the Keys", performed by him
Confrey was born in Peru, Illinois, United States,[1] the youngest child of Thomas and Margaret Confrey. Aspiring to be a concert pianist, he attended Chicago Musical College and studied with private teachers. He later abandoned that idea for composing, encouraged by his oldest brother, James J. Confrey, an organist.[3] By 1916 he was a staff pianist for Witmarks in Chicago. He also enlisted in the US Navy in 1917.[citation needed]
After World War I, Confrey became a pianist and arranger for the QRS piano roll company.[1] He also recorded for AMPICO's reproducing piano system, which was installed in upper-line pianos such as Mason & Hamlin and Chickering.
In 1921 Confrey wrote his novelty piano solo "Kitten on the Keys", inspired by hearing his grandmother's cat walk on the keyboard of her piano.[3] It became a hit, and he went on to compose many other pieces in the genre.[4] "Dizzy Fingers" (1923) was Confrey's other biggest seller.[4]
Following the 1920s, Confrey focused primarily on composing for jazz bands. He retired after World War II but continued to compose until 1959. He died at age 76 in Lakewood, New Jersey after suffering for many years from Parkinson's disease.[1] He left behind more than a hundred piano works, songs and miniature operas, and numerous piano rolls, music publications and sound recordings.
Writing in 2007 David A. Jasen describes Confrey, alongside Roy Bargy, as still "firmly rooted in the folk tradition".[5]
^ abConfrey, Zez, Zez Confrey's Modern Course in Novelty Piano Playing (New York: Jack Mills, 1923), p. 4.
^ abDu Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 123. ISBN1-904041-96-5.
^Jasen, David A. (14 April 2007). Ragtime: An Encyclopedia, Discography, and Sheetography. Taylor & Francis. p. 83. ISBN9780415978620 – via Google Books.
^List of Works by Zez Confrey 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Grainger.de. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
NotesEdit
Rags and Ragtime by Jasen and Tichenor, Dover, 1978.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zez Confrey.
Zez Confrey - Coaxing The Piano [1922] Piano Music on YouTube
October 18, 2023
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This article s lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article May 2013 Edward Elzear Zez Confrey 3 April 1895 22 November 1971 1 was an American composer and performer of novelty piano and jazz music His most noted works were Kitten on the Keys and Dizzy Fingers Studying at the Chicago Musical College and becoming enthralled by French impressionists played a critical role in how he composed and performed music 2 The sheet music for Dizzy Fingers Kitten on the Keys 1921 source source Zez Confrey s first hit Kitten on the Keys performed by him Problems playing this file See media help Contents 1 Life and career 2 List of known works 3 Selected discography 4 See also 5 References 6 Notes 7 External linksLife and career EditConfrey was born in Peru Illinois United States 1 the youngest child of Thomas and Margaret Confrey Aspiring to be a concert pianist he attended Chicago Musical College and studied with private teachers He later abandoned that idea for composing encouraged by his oldest brother James J Confrey an organist 3 By 1916 he was a staff pianist for Witmarks in Chicago He also enlisted in the US Navy in 1917 citation needed After World War I Confrey became a pianist and arranger for the QRS piano roll company 1 He also recorded for AMPICO s reproducing piano system which was installed in upper line pianos such as Mason amp Hamlin and Chickering In 1921 Confrey wrote his novelty piano solo Kitten on the Keys inspired by hearing his grandmother s cat walk on the keyboard of her piano 3 It became a hit and he went on to compose many other pieces in the genre 4 Dizzy Fingers 1923 was Confrey s other biggest seller 4 Following the 1920s Confrey focused primarily on composing for jazz bands He retired after World War II but continued to compose until 1959 He died at age 76 in Lakewood New Jersey after suffering for many years from Parkinson s disease 1 He left behind more than a hundred piano works songs and miniature operas and numerous piano rolls music publications and sound recordings Writing in 2007 David A Jasen describes Confrey alongside Roy Bargy as still firmly rooted in the folk tradition 5 List of known works EditFor piano unless otherwise indicated My Pet 1921 Kitten on the Keys 1921 You Tell em Ivories 1921 Poor Buttermilk 1921 Greenwich Witch 1921 Kitten on the Keys song 1922 6 Stumbling 1922 Stumbling Paraphrase 1922 Coaxing the Piano 1922 Dumbell 1922 Tricks 1922 By the Saphire Sea Song 1922 Nickel in the Slot 1923 Dizzy Fingers 1923 Three Little Oddities 1923 for piano or violin and piano Impromptu Romanza Novelette African Suite 1924 High Hattin Kinda Careless Mississippi Shivers Anticipation 1924 Charleston Chuckles 1925 Fantasy Jazz Arrangement 1925 Humorestless 1925 Flower Song 1925 Spring Song 1925 Home Sweet Home 1925 Melody in F 1925 Traumerei 1925 Fantasy Classical 1926 Jay Walk 1927 Jack in the Box 1927 Walse Mirage 1927 Sparkling Waters 1928 Concert Etude 1929 Heaven s Garden 1931 Heaven s Garden Song 1931 Moods of a New Yorker 1932 At Dusk Movie Ballet Relaxation After Theatre Tango Buffoon 1932 Champagne 1932 Desert Dance 1932 In the South of France 1932 Indian Prayer 1932 Phantom Cadets 1932 Wistfullness 1932 Grandfather s Clock 1933 Sittin on a Log Pettin My Dog 1933 Smart Alec 1933 Giddy Ditty 1935 Rhythm Venture 1935 Arabian Maid 1935 A Heart Like the Ocean 1935 Lullaby from Mars 1935 Mouses Hooves 1935 Tin Pan Symphony 1935 The Birds Carnival 1935 Blue Tornado 1935 Rag Doll Dimples 1935 Audacity 1936 Meandering 1936 Tap Dance of the Chimes 1936 Ultra Ultra 1936 Oriental Fantasy 1936 Home Run on the Keys 1936 Midsummer s Nightmare 1936 Motif Du Concert 1936 Wise Cracker Suite 1936 Yokel Opus Mighty Lackawanna The Sheriff s Lament Sugar Dance 1936 Sunshine from the Fingers 1936 Sport Model Encore 1937 The Hobble De Hoy 1938 Della Robbia 1938 That Old Piano Roll Band 1943 Dancing Shadow 1944 Elihu s Harmonica 1944 Parade of the Jumping Beans 1944 Pickle Pepper Polka 1944 Tune For Mademoiselle 1944 Amazonia 1945 Butterfly 1945 Flutter By Butterfly 1945 Rag Doll Carnival 1945 Four Candy Pieces 1949 Song of Thanksgiving 1952 Four Circus Pieces 1959 Fourth Dimension 1959 Selected discography EditZez Confrey Creator of the Novelty Rag Zez Confrey 1976 The Dancing Twenties Various Artists 1976 The Piano Roll Artistry of Zez Confrey Zez Confrey 1982 Kitten on the Keys The Piano Music of Zez Confrey 1983 Dick Hyman See also EditList of ragtime composersReferences Edit a b c d Thedeadrockstarsclub com Archived 9 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine accessed August 2011 Zez Confrey Biography amp History AllMusic a b Confrey Zez Zez Confrey s Modern Course in Novelty Piano Playing New York Jack Mills 1923 p 4 a b Du Noyer Paul 2003 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music 1st ed Fulham London Flame Tree Publishing p 123 ISBN 1 904041 96 5 Jasen David A 14 April 2007 Ragtime An Encyclopedia Discography and Sheetography Taylor amp Francis p 83 ISBN 9780415978620 via Google Books List of Works by Zez Confrey Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Grainger de Retrieved 24 February 2011 Notes EditRags and Ragtime by Jasen and Tichenor Dover 1978 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zez Confrey Zez Confrey Coaxing The Piano 1922 Piano Music on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zez Confrey amp oldid 1066271702, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
