Andrew Dewey Kirk, known as Andy Kirk, was born on May 28, 1898, in Newport, Kentucky, and became a prominent figure in the jazz world as a bandleader and saxophonist. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he was musically educated by Wilberforce Whiteman, the father of famed bandleader Paul Whiteman. Kirk began his musical career in 1918, playing bass saxophone and tuba with George Morrison's orchestra. In 1925, he moved to Dallas and joined Terrence Holder's Dark Clouds of Joy, which he took over in 1929, renaming it the Clouds of Joy. He relocated the band to Kansas City, Missouri, where they became a key part of the Kansas City jazz scene.

Under Kirk's leadership, the band, sometimes known as the Twelve Clouds of Joy, became one of the most popular swing bands of the 1930s. Their success was bolstered by the talents of pianist and arranger Mary Lou Williams, who played a significant role in shaping the band's sound. The Clouds of Joy recorded extensively, first with Brunswick Records and later with Decca, producing hits like "I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You)" and "Until the Real Thing Comes Along." The band also achieved a milestone in 1942 with "Take It and Git," which became the first number one on the Harlem Hit Parade, a precursor to the Billboard R&B chart.

Despite not being a soloist himself, Kirk was adept at highlighting the talents of his band members, which included notable musicians like Charlie Parker, Don Byas, and Fats Navarro. The band disbanded in 1948, after which Kirk ventured into hotel management and real estate, and served as an official in the Musicians' Union. He continued to lead occasional bands into the 1970s and was honored as an NEA Jazz Master in 1991. Andy Kirk passed away on December 11, 1992, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the swing era and the Kansas City jazz movement.