Makanda Ken McIntyre facts for kids

Makanda Ken McIntyre (born Kenneth Arthur McIntyre) was an amazing American jazz musician, composer, and teacher. He was born on September 7, 1931, and passed away on June 13, 2001. Ken was known for playing many different instruments. His main instrument was the alto saxophone. But he also played the flute, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, double bass, drums, and piano!

Ken McIntyre's Life Story

Ken McIntyre was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His dad played the mandolin, so music was in his family. Ken started playing music when he was just eight years old. His first instrument was the bugle, then he learned piano.

Becoming a Musician

When Ken was a teenager, he discovered the music of Charlie Parker. This inspired him to start playing the saxophone at age nineteen. Two years later, he added the clarinet and flute to his skills. In 1953, he joined the Army. He played saxophone and piano while serving in Japan.

After two years in the U.S. Army, Ken went to the Boston Conservatory. He studied music with famous musicians like Gigi Gryce and Charlie Mariano. In 1958, he earned a degree in flute and composition. The next year, he got his master's degree in composition. He also earned a special doctorate degree in curriculum design in 1975. This degree helped him create new ways to teach.

Playing with Jazz Legends

In 1960, Ken started recording his own music. He even recorded with the famous musician Eric Dolphy. For the next six years, Ken taught music in public schools. He also took oboe lessons in New York.

Ken played with many other great jazz artists. These included Bill Dixon, Jaki Byard, and the Jazz Composer's Orchestra. He also spent three years playing with the pianist Cecil Taylor. In the 1970s, he recorded with Nat Adderley and Beaver Harris. In the 1980s, he played with Craig Harris and Charlie Haden.

A Passion for Teaching

In 1971, Ken McIntyre started something very important. He founded the first African American Music program in the United States. This program was at the State University of New York at Old Westbury. He taught there for 24 years, sharing his love for music. He also taught at other universities. These included Wesleyan University and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

His Name Change

In the early 1990s, Ken changed his name to Makanda Ken McIntyre. This happened while he was performing in Zimbabwe. A stranger gave him a piece of paper with the word "Makanda" on it. This word has special meanings. In the Northern Ndebele language, "Makanda" means "many skins." In the Shona language, it means "many heads."

Ken McIntyre passed away from a heart attack in New York City. He was 69 years old.

Recordings by Ken McIntyre

Ken McIntyre recorded many albums throughout his career. Here are some of the albums where he was the main artist, or "leader."

As the Main Artist

• Stone Blues (1961)
• Looking Ahead (1961)
• Year of the Iron Sheep (1962)
• Way, Way Out (1963)
• Hindsight (1974)
• Home (1975)
• Open Horizon (1975)
• Introducing the Vibrations (1977)
• Chasing the Sun (1979)
• Tribute (1991)
• In the Wind (1996)
• A New Beginning (2000)

Playing with Other Artists

Ken also played on many albums as a "sideman." This means he played alongside other main artists.

• With Charlie Haden
  • Dream Keeper (1990)
  • The Montreal Tapes: Liberation Music Orchestra (1999)
• With Beaver Harris
  • Beautiful Africa (1979)
  • Negcaumongus (1981)
• With Archie Shepp, Bill Dixon
  • Quartet (2009)
  • Bill Dixon 7-tette/Archie Shepp and the New York Contemporary 5 (1964)
• With others
  • Nat Adderley, Don't Look Back (1976)
  • Eric Dolphy, Fire Waltz (1978)
  • Cecil Taylor, Unit Structures (1966)