Carl Kress

Carl Kress was born October 20, 1907, in Newark, New Jersey. Kress started on piano before picking up the banjo. Carl Kress, along with Eddie Lang, is one of the founding fathers of jazz guitar. While Lang pioneered the use of single-string horn inspired lines, Carl’s method was that of chord soloing. Carl got his start as banjoist and guitarist for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra in 1926, which also featured Bix Beiderbecke and Frankie Trumbauer.

In 1927 Kress entered the studio accompanied by Bix and Trumbauer and recorded some sides as the Chicago Loopers. From 1927-1929 Kress could be found in the bands of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Miff Mole and Red Nichols. For most of his career, he was a studio musician and sideman buried in large orchestras, and his name was little known. His work in the 1920s and 1930s included sessions with The Boswell Sisters, The Dorsey Brothers, Bix Beiderbecke, Hoagy Carmichael, Miff Mole, Red Nichols, Adrian Rollini, and Frank Trumbauer.

By the 1930s, Kress had fully switched over to the guitar and, beginning in 1932, recorded some of the finest duets in jazz guitar history with Eddie Lang and in 1934 and 1937 with Dick McDonough. Soon Kress became known for his second contribution to jazz by being part owner of the Onyx Club on 52nd Street.

Carl Kress also duetted with guitarists Tony Mottola (1941) and George Barnes (1961-1965). In 1938 and 1939, he made some solo recordings: “Peg Leg Shuffle,” “Helena,” “Love Song,” “Sutton Mutton,” and “Afterthoughts.” During the 1940s, he played Dixieland jazz with Bobby Hackett, Pee Wee Russell, and Muggsy Spanier. In the 1950s Kress could be seen as the guitarist for the Garry Moore television show.

Kress was married to Helen Carroll, a native of Bloomington, Indiana, who moved to New York City to become a singer. She was a member of the Satisfiers and sang with Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, and Jo Stafford. Carl and Helen Kress lived in Manhasset, New York.

Carl Kress died of a heart attack on June 10, 1965, while he was on tour with George Barnes in Reno, Nevada. (Sources: Ted Gottsegen and Wikipedia)