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Leroy Kirkland


 

Leroy Kirkland | Restored by Google/Copyright Control | tc1073

Arranger, bandleader, guitarist and song writer Leroy Kirkland was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on February 10, 1906. His career went from the 1930’s pre-swing era to soul. In the 1940s he worked with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and began arranging music at Savoy Records, OKeh Records, Mercury Records and other companies including Chess.

His successes included Screamin’ Jay Hawkins “I Put A Spell On You”, Big Maybelle’s “Gabbin’ Blues” and Barbie Gaye’s original version of “My Boy Lollipop”. He is also associated with Wilbert Harrison, Etta James, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, The Righteous Brothers, The Supremes, Brook Benton and the Five Satins. Leroy Kirkland died in New York City on April 6, 1988. 

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