Carl Kress

Carl Kress (born October 20, 1907, Newark, New Jersey, USA - died June 10, 1965, Reno, Nevada, USA) was an American jazz guitarist and banjo player and husband of Helen Carroll. Carl Kress started his career as banjo and guitar player, recording with the best white jazzmen of the 1920's, among them Bix Beiderbecke. In the 1930's, Kress became a central figure in the conception and perfecting of the jazz guitar duo. He was first heard in the company of Eddie Lang in 1932 (Feeling My Way), then with Dick McDonough (Chicken a la Swing) and Tony Mottola (Jazz in G). In 1961, he formed a duo with George Barnes after working for a long time in studios and radio and television far from jazz. He was also the co-owner of the renowned Onyx Club, where many famous jazz musicians played.