Dave McKenna talks about growing up in Boston

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Dave McKenna talks about learning songs

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Dave McKenna discusses his performance style

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Q: “There’s an awful lot of bop in your playing, in fact I’ve heard your playing described as sort of bebop stride – which is not an unfair description of your music. You’ve always got that left hand going in a, not necessarily stride, but a strong left hand and yet with your right hand, much more sophisticated harmonies in playing and approach. Was it something you arrived at or is it something you’re consciously trying to do? You’re a bit of a throwback having that strong left hand. A lot of the men your age are out of the bop thing where they don’t have that…”

A: Dave McKenna: “Well, I think they didn't. They just weren't interested in playing it that way, but they just sort of evolved with me. I guess, I was sort of a bebop or anything in the 50s when I was in my twenties.”

Interviewer: “Because of the music.”

Dave McKenna: “But even at that time, I wasn't really ... I guess I wasn't really a bebopper, because I always liked the older music, too. And when I was a kid, I heard Diz and Bird and enjoyed it, you know. And I liked to play some of those tunes they played and steal a few Bird licks and all of that, but I still liked even at that time to hear the Benny Goodman Sextet and I mean, I like the old music.”