Karl Herman Kiffe
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.
Also recorded as Karl Kiffe
Karl Herman Kiffe
- Name
- Karl Kiffe
- Birth Name
- Karl Herman Kiffe
- Born
- 6 July 1927
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Died
- 10 May 2004
- Place of death
- Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
- Occupation
- Musician
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- jazz
- Languages
- English
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
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.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Karl Herman Kiffe. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- unresolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q15440623 · wikipedia · Karl Kiffe
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Karl Kiffe • Birth Name — Karl Herman Kiffe • Born — 6 July 1927 • Birthplace — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Died — 10 May 2004 • Place of death — Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Drums • Years Active — 1942–1994 • Associated Acts — Jimmy Dorsey
Career
Career
Born in Los Angeles, Kiffe first attracted attention as winner of the annual Gene Krupa Contest in 1943. 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, June Christy, and Ella Fitzgerald. 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.
Personal life
Personal life
In 1958, Kiffe married Carol Jean Beall in Las Vegas. They had two children. 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
Television
Television
• Stars of Jazz (With Red Norvo, April 21, 1958) • The Ed Sullivan Show (with Benny Goodman, November 6, 1960)
As sideman
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) • Red Norvo, Windjammer City Style (Dot, 1958) • Pee Wee Russell, Portrait of Pee Wee (Counterpoint, 1958) • Tommy Vig, The Tommy Vig Orchestra (Take V, 1965) • Helen Humes Midsummer Night's Songs (RCA, 1974)
Audio
Audio
• "Hollywood Bazaar" – Georgie Auld and His Orchestra at Internet Archive • "J. D's Jump" – Jimmy Dorsey and His Jammers at Internet Archive
Video
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
Miscellaneous
* • discogs karl kiffe *
Film
• Johnny Doughboy (1942) • Song of the Open Road (1944) • Youth Aflame (1944) • Jimmy Dorsey's Varieties (1952)
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 22 September 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,438 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Karl HajosPerson
- Karl HammesPerson
- Karl Heinrich BarthPerson
- Karl HellmerPerson
- Karl Hermann BitterPerson
- Karl Hermann Heinrich BendaPerson
- Karl Hermann PillneyPerson
- Karl HöllerPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Karl Herman Kiffe?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.