Carlson, Kay 

May 28, 1931 - April 5, 2010

Katherine "Kay" Carlson (Cikraji), an accomplished 
drummer and renowned percussion instructor passed 
away amongst close friends in Los Angeles at the age of 
78. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 28, 1931, Kay started 
playing drums at the age of nine and was a professional 
by the age of eighteen. 

Throughout the 1950's, Kay played in various bands and 
orchestras touring the US and internationally. Specifically, 
Kay toured with an all female big band entertaining US 
troops in Japan and Korea for the United Service 
Organization (USO). During her time overseas, she was 
also the drummer for a special show starring Johnny 
Grant. Upon returning to the US, Kay made many 
television appearances as the drummer for the Spade 
Cooley Show and started freelancing in various jazz 
combos and big bands. 

Kay was one of the first women to be endorsed by a 
major drum manufacturer, Wm. F. Ludwig (WFL) Drums, 
and in 1960, she passed the examination for the National 
Association of Rudimental Drummers. Kay organized her 
own 19 piece big band, which performed many "Jazz at 
the Beach" concerts and she played drums for the musical 
"Cabaret" at the Ahmanson Theatre. It was also at this 
time that Kay started her teaching career, which 
ultimately became her life-long passion. 

For the next 50 years, Kay taught over two thousand 
drum set and percussion students at Loyola Marymount 
University, Amendola Music, and at her private studio. In 
1989, Kay received national recognition by being 
awarded the Excellence in the Profession of Percussion 
Instruction (EPPI) Award from the REMO Drum Company. 
In 1993, Kay received further recognition by the Pro Mark 
Drum Stick Company for exceptional dedication to 
percussive music education. Most recently, Kay was 
amongst a select group of women musicians interviewed 
for the documentary "Lady Be Good, Instrumental Women 
in Jazz." 

Kay's remarkable trailblazing career has helped open 
doors for female musicians everywhere. She was 
considered not only a teacher of percussion, but also a 
teacher of life. Her love of music can only be matched 
with her love for her students. Kay is remembered for her 
wonderful sense of humor and her indelible influence on 
so many lives has undoubtedly left the world a better 
place. 

Kay is survived by family members living in Ohio and 
those she regarded as her musical family, comprised of 
former and current percussion students. 

Memorial Services will be held on May 15, 2010, 2pm, at 
Westchester United Methodist Church - 8065 Emerson 
Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045 - (310) 670-3777. 
Donations in honor of Kay can be sent to the non-profit 
fiscal sponsor - 911 Media Arts Center: Attn: LADY BE 
GOOD -117 Yale Ave, N. Seattle, WA 98109.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on May 1, 2010