Karl Kiffe (July 6, 1925 – May 10, 2004) was an American jazz drummer featured in specialty numbers in a number of Hollywood feature films during World War II and later as a featured member of Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra.

Career Born in Los Angeles, Kiffe first attracted attention as winner of the annual Gene Krupa Contest in 1943.Feather, Leonard (1960). The Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York : Bonanza Books. p. 299. Succeeding Chuck Falkner as leader of the Hollywood Canteen Kids, Kiffe was featured in novelty numbers in several feature films before working as a single in Ken Murray's Blackouts. In July 1945 he was hired by Jimmy Dorsey, with whom he worked for about a year, and then again from July 1950 through February '53. Over the next decade, Kiffe worked with, among others, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo and Woody Herman, as well as singers Andy Williams,Duke (January 25, 1961). "Night Club Reviews: Desert Inn, Las Vegas". Variety. p. 55. June Christy, and Ella Fitzgerald.Wilson, Russ (December 1, 1962). "Ella Superb With Big Band Backing". Oakland Tribune. p. 4.

Speaking in 1946, when asked which drummer he most admired, Kiffe cited the solos of Buddy Rich, while praising the big band work of Don Lamond and Jo Jones.Schacht, Beulah (November 6, 1946). "Found: Musician Who Doesn't Want to Lead a Band". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. p. 11.

Personal life In 1958, Kiffe married Carol Jean Beall in Las Vegas. They had two children."Carol Beall". MyHeritage.Karl Kiffe. Legacy.com. He was also a great friends of the musician and saxophonist Warne Marsh.

Autobiography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cx1QjSAnwCIm3G4eWqoOzI_LQmDoFeXivfXkORfsBaY/edit?usp=sharing

Filmography Film Johnny Doughboy (1942)"Reviews of the New Films". The Film Daily. December 24, 1942. p. 5. Song of the Open Road (1944)"Canteen Aids Chuck Falkner; Valleyites with New Orchestra". North Hollywood Valley Times. July 20, 1943. p. 5. "In addition to Falkner, who is 16 and his sister Barbara, 14, who is the vocalist, the members of the organization include Morton Friedman, Warne Marsh, Dick Selix, Betty Churchill, Donald Walter, Bob Clarke, Paul Gray, Harold Jacobs, Karl Kiffe, Dave Welles, Scott McKennan, Ray HGall, Neil Cunningham, Johnny Check, Harry Matthews.""Bandleader Now Serving in Navy". San Fernando Valley Times. May 11, 1944. p. 17.SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD - Original 1945 theatrical trailer. YouTube. Youth Aflame (1944)"Too Late to Classify; Features". The Exhibitor. April 18, 1945. pp. 1701, 1703. Jimmy Dorsey's Varieties (1952)Stockdale, Robert L. "The Dorsey Brothers - Filmdom's Favorites." IAJRC Journal 41.2 (2008): 46-56. ProQuest. Web. 18 Jan. 2022.

Television Stars of Jazz (With Red Norvo, April 21, 1958)Harrod, James A. (2020). Stars of Jazz: A Complete History of the Innovative Television Series, 1956-1958. Jefferson, NC : McFarland & Company. p. 186. .Tynan, John (May 29, 1958). "The Rooster Crows". Down Beat. pp. 14, 50. Retrieved January 20, 2022. The Ed Sullivan Show (with Benny Goodman, November 6, 1960)Connor, D. Russell (1958). Benny Goodman: Listen to His Legacy. Metuchen, N.J. : The Scarecrow Press. p. 236. .

Discography As sideman With Jimmy Dorsey At the 400 Restaurant 1946 (HEP, 1994; rec. 1946) Casino Gardens Ballroom 1946 (HEP, 1999; rec. 1946) More (Jazz Crusade, 1950) One Night Stand with Jimmy Dorsey at the Statler (Joyce, 198_; rec. November 1951) The Swingin' Dorseys (Decca, 195_)

With others Georgie Auld, That's Auld (Discovery, 1950) Don Stratton, Modern Jazz With Dixieland Roots (ABC-Paramount, 1956)Sampson, Paul (September 9, 1956). "Dixie's Roots Rattled". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. Red Norvo, Windjammer City Style (Dot, 1958) Pee Wee Russell, Portrait of Pee Wee (Counterpoint, 1958)Wilson, John S. (October 19, 1958). "Jazz Musicians Kick Over Old Traces on LP". The New York Times. Sec. 2, p. 20. Tommy Vig, The Tommy Vig Orchestra (Take V, 1965) Helen Humes Midsummer Night's Songs (RCA, 1974)

References

Further reading "MCA Sponsors Draftproof Band; Holywood Canteen Kids, Ages From 13 to 16, Set for Summer Theater Tour". Down Beat. June 1, 1943. p. 6. Holly, Hal (February 15, 1944). "Los Angeles Band Briefs". Down Beat. p. 6. "SAG and Movie Firm Named in Film Credit Case"Down Beat. p. 12. "A new generation 'Wonder Drummer' zooms higher and higher with the famous Jimmy Dorsey Band". Down Beat. October 7, 1946, p. 15. "Gene Krupa ... Slingerland; National Swing Drummers Contest". Down Beat. February 25, 1948. p. 17. Whiston, Henry F. (February 22, 1952). "Tommy Praises Brother Jimmy Dorsey's Band; 'Beat' Reviewer Agrees". Down Beat. p. 2. "Star Performers – Kiffe and Ludwig". Down Beat. p. 2. Krupa, Gene (1970). "The Voice of Broadway". The Wilkes-Barre Record. p. 16.

External links Audio "Hollywood Bazaar" – Georgie Auld and His Orchestra at Internet Archive "J. D's Jump" – Jimmy Dorsey and His Jammers at Internet Archive

Video "All Done, All Through" instrumental interlude w/ drum solo, from Johnny Doughboy (1942) at YouTube Trailer for Song of the Open Road (1944) at YouTube

Miscellaneous