Ward Kimball

**Ward Kimball: A Trailblazer in Animation and Jazz**

Ward Kimball, a master draftsman and innovative animator, was known for his whimsical character designs that brought joy to audiences. Rather than focusing on lifelike representations, Kimball's preference for humor and creativity earned him recognition from Walt Disney, who referred to him as a genius in *The Story of Walt Disney*. His contributions to Disney's legacy are significant, as he was the creative force behind iconic characters such as the Crows from *Dumbo*, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat from *Alice in Wonderland*, as well as Jiminy Cricket from *Pinocchio* and the memorable musical sequence of "The Three Caballeros."

In 1953, Kimball transitioned to directing, winning an Academy Award for the short film *Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom*. His pioneering work on three Disney television programs related to space exploration coincided with America's burgeoning space initiatives. He was also honored with an Oscar for his animated short *It's Tough to Be a Bird*. In 1944, Kimball was featured in Jerry Fairbanks' film series *Unusual Occupations*, spotlighting his passion for model railroading.

An accomplished jazz trombonist, Kimball founded the celebrated Dixieland band Firehouse Five Plus Two, which produced over a dozen LPs and performed actively from the 1940s through the early 1970s. His creative endeavors at Disney continued until the early 1970s, where he played key roles in projects such as *Mary Poppins*, *Bedknobs and Broomsticks*, and the anthology series *The Mouse Factory*. He also contributed to the EPCOT attraction *The World of Motion*, leaving an indelible mark on both animation and music.