Kenny Sargent

Laurel Kenneth Sargent (March 3, 1906 – December 20, 1969) was an American big band vocalist and saxophonist, primarily known for his work with the Casa Loma Orchestra in the 1930s and 40s.

Born in Centralia, Illinois, Sargent was hired by Glen Gray of the Casa Loma Orchestra in the spring of 1931. He was the Casa Loma Orchestra's primary vocalist and a saxophonist in the late 1930s and early 40s. He had a smooth, high baritone singing voice. He recorded many popular ballads, including "It's the Talk of the Town", which was high on the national charts. Other popular songs he recorded are "Blue Moon", "City Called Heaven", "When I Grow Too Old to Dream". He performed the vocals in the first recording of the standard "You Go to My Head".

Sargent left the band in 1943 to begin a career as a disc jockey, first at WHHM in Memphis, Tennessee. He later was a well-known radio personality in Dallas, Texas at radio stations KLIF (AM) and WRR in the 1950s and 1960s.

He died in Dallas in 1969, aged 63.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 3, 1906, Died December 20, 1969

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, clarinet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 300 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W145379 10-in. 12/14/1927 I'm like a bird with a broken wing Kenny Sargent Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist  
Columbia W145380 10-in. 12/14/1927 My buddy Kenny Sargent Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist  
Columbia W145381 10-in. 12/14/1927 Four walls Kenny Sargent Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist  
Brunswick E36697 10-in. 5/18/1931 I “wanna” sing about you Casa Loma Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36908 10-in. 7/6/1931 It’s the girl Casa Loma Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist  
Brunswick E36909 10-in. 7/7/1931 Help yourself to happiness Casa Loma Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37162 10-in. 9/16/1931 Blue Kentucky moon Casa Loma Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37163 10-in. 9/16/1931 Can’t you see? Casa Loma Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37241 10-in. 10/6/1931 Time on my hands (You in my arms) Casa Loma Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Decca 38676 10-in. 9/17/1934 When will I know? Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38677 10-in. 9/17/1934 Chinatown, my Chinatown Glen Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38678 10-in. 9/17/1934 Nagasaki Glen Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38715 10-in. 9/24/1934 A new moon is over my shoulder Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38716 10-in. 9/24/1934 I'm in love Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38717 10-in. 9/24/1934 You're a builder-upper Glen Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38718 10-in. 9/24/1934 Judy Glen Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38726 10-in. 9/24/1934 Stompin' around Glen Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38727 10-in. 9/24/1934 P. S. I love you Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38929 10-in. 10/31/1934 Irresistible Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38930 10-in. 10/31/1934 I've got an invitation to a dance Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38931 10-in. 10/31/1934 Maybe I'm wrong again Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 38932 10-in. 10/31/1934 You took advantage of me Glen Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 39130 10-in. 11/16/1934 Where there's smoke there's fire Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 39131 10-in. 11/16/1934 Two in a dream Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 39132 10-in. 11/16/1934 Blue moon Glen Gray Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
(Results 26-50 of 300 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sargent, Kenny," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107214.

Sargent, Kenny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107214.

"Sargent, Kenny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107214

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