Edward Elzear "Zez" Confrey (3 April 1895 – 22 November 1971)[1] was an American composer and performer of
novelty piano and
jazz music. His most noted works were "Kitten on the Keys" and "Dizzy Fingers." Studying at the
Chicago Musical College and becoming enthralled by
French impressionists played a critical role in how he composed and performed music.[2]
Early life and education
Confrey was born in
Peru, Illinois,[1] the youngest child of Thomas and Margaret Confrey. Aspiring to be a concert pianist, he attended
Chicago Musical College and studied with private teachers. He later abandoned that idea for composing, encouraged by his oldest brother, James J. Confrey, an organist.[3] By 1916 he was a staff pianist for
Witmarks in Chicago. He also enlisted in the
US Navy in 1917.[citation needed]
After
World War I, Confrey became a pianist and arranger for the
QRS piano roll company.[1] He also recorded for
AMPICO's reproducing piano system, which was installed in upper-line pianos such as
Mason & Hamlin and
Chickering.
In 1921 Confrey wrote his
novelty piano solo "Kitten on the Keys", inspired by hearing his grandmother's cat walk on the keyboard of her piano.[3] It became a hit, and he went on to compose many other pieces in the genre.[4] "Dizzy Fingers" (1923) was Confrey's other biggest seller.[4]
Following the 1920s, Confrey focused primarily on composing for
jazz bands. He retired after
World War II but continued to compose until 1959. He died at age 76 in
Lakewood, New Jersey after suffering for many years from
Parkinson's disease.[1] He left behind more than a hundred piano works, songs and miniature operas, and numerous piano rolls, music publications and sound recordings.
Writing in 2007 David A. Jasen describes Confrey, alongside
Roy Bargy, as still "firmly rooted in the folk tradition".[5]