Born January 9, Kenneth Clarke Spearman was an esteemed American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-hat, along with the use of the bass drum for irregular accents. This four-disc set compiles much of Kenny Clarke's finest work, including as it does all albums on which he performed as leader or co-leader. While only covering the period during which he performed under his own name, the collection serves as a fine starting point to the work of this maverick jazz pioneer and a delightful reminder of the great man's most accomplished music.