Short bio Zez Confrey
Full biography Zez Confrey
Zez Confrey was an American composer and pianist who lived from April 3, 1895 to November 22, 1971. He is best known for his "novelty" piano solo pieces, which were characterized by syncopation, intricate melodies, and playful rhythms. His most famous composition is "Kitten on the Keys," which he wrote in 1921.
Confrey was born in Peru, Illinois, and began his musical career as a pianist in silent movie theaters. He composed his first piece, "My Pet," in 1914, and went on to write more than 100 "novelty" solos over the course of his career. In addition to his work as a composer, Confrey also performed on radio and in clubs and theaters.
Confrey's style of music fell out of fashion in the 1930s, but he continued to write music sporadically through 1959. In addition to "Kitten on the Keys," some of his other well-known compositions include "Dizzy Fingers," "Stumbling," and "You Tell 'Em Ivories."
Confrey's contributions to American music have been recognized by a number of sources. In 1972, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 1999, The New York Times included him in its list of the "100 Greatest Pop Songwriters of the Century." Today, Confrey's music remains popular with fans of classic American piano music, and his compositions continue to be studied and performed by pianists around the world.
Albums featuring Zez Confrey
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Nikolai Petrov, Padre Antonio Soler, Carl Maria von Weber, Maurice Ravel, Léo Delibes, Dmitri Schostakowitsch, Franz Liszt, Alberto Ginastera, Zez Confrey – Николай Петров - Приглашение к танцу / Nikolai Petrov - Invitation to the Dance(CD, Album, Compila | 2010 | Международная Книга Музыка |
| 2 |  |
Zez Confrey, Artis Wodehouse – Piano Rolls And Scores - Realized By Artis Wodehouse(CD, ) | 2002 | Warner Classics |
| 3 |  |
Zez Confrey - Eteri Andjaparidze – Piano Music | 1999 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume IV(CD, Album, Compilation) | 1998 | Pearl |
| 5 |  |
The Piano Roll Artistry Of Zez Confrey, Second Volume | 1982 | Smithsonian Folkways Recordings |
| 6 |  |
Creator of the Novelty Rag(LP) | 1976 | Folkways Records |
| 7 |  |
Dizzy Fingers / Kitten On The Keys(Shellac, 10", 78 RPM) | 1927 | His Master's Voice |
| 8 |  |
Coaxing The Piano / Greenwich Witch(Shellac, 10", 78 RPM) | 1922 | Brunswick |
| 9 |  |
Henry W. Lange / Zez Confrey – Monastery Bells Waltz / Kitten On The Keys(Edison Disc, ) | 1922 | Edison Records |
| 10 |  |
Poor Buttermilk / You Tell 'Em Ivories(Shellac, 10", 78 RPM) | 1921 | Brunswick |
| 11 |  |
Kitten On The Keys / My Pet(Shellac, 10", 78 RPM) | 1921 | Brunswick |
| 12 |  |
Zez Confrey / Dick Palmer (3) – Kitten On The Keys / You Tell 'Em Ivories | 1921 | Bell Record (2) |
Videos featuring Zez Confrey
Kitten on the Keys
Provided to YouTube by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Kitten on the Keys · Zez Confrey
Zez Confrey: Creator of the Novelty Rag
℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1976 Folkways Records
Released on: 1976-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Poor Buttermilk
Provided to YouTube by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Poor Buttermilk · Zez Confrey
Zez Confrey: Creator of the Novelty Rag
℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1976 Folkways Records
Released on: 1976-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
You Tell 'Em Ivories
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
You Tell 'Em Ivories · Zez Confrey
Zez Confrey: Creator of the Novelty Rag
℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1976 Folkways Records
Released on: 1976-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
IMPORTANT notice to "The Harry Fox Agency, Inc."::
"United States Copyright Duration for Musical Works: The current du
">Zez Confrey piano solo: Kitten On The Keys (1921)
Zez Confrey performs his "Kitten On The Keys" on Edison Re-Creation 50898-L (8226), recorded in New York City on September 21st in 1921.
IMPORTANT notice to "The Harry Fox Agency, Inc."::
"United States Copyright Duration for Musical Works: The current du
The Sheik of Araby - Zez Confrey Piano Roll
A classic roll! The Sheik (of Araby) as performed by Zez Confrey (composer of Kitten On The Keys and Dizzy Fingers). Confrey was not only a great composer of novelty piano songs, but he was a prolific arranger as well. QRS Word Roll #1775 Rel. January 192
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