Kenny Barron

Kenny Barron's unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms is what inspired "The Los Angeles Times" to name him "one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and "Jazz Weekly" to call him "The most lyrical piano player of our time."

Philadelphia is the birthplace of many great musicians, including one of the undisputed masters of the jazz piano: Kenny Barron. Kenny was born in 1943 and while a teenager, started playing professionally with Mel Melvin's orchestra. This local band also featured Barron's brother Bill, the late tenor saxophonist. At age 19, Kenny moved to New York City and was hired by James Moody after the tenor saxophonist heard him play at the Five Spot.

He joined Dizzy Gillespie's band in 1962, where he developed an appreciation for Latin and Caribbean rhythms. After five years with Dizzy, Barron played with Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, and Buddy Rich. In 1971 he joined Yusef Lateef's band. It is Lateef who Kenny credits as a key influence in his art for improvisation. In 1973 Kenny joined the faculty at Rutgers University as professor of music. He held this tenure until 2000, mentoring many of today's young talents including David Sanchez, Terence Blanchard, and Regina Bell. In 1974 he recorded his first album as a leader for the Muse label, entitled "Sunset To Dawn." This was to be the first of over 40 recordings (and still counting!) as a leader.

Throughout the 1980's, Kenny collaborated with the great tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, touring with his quartet and recording several albums, one of which was nominated for a Grammy ("People Time") Also during the 80's, he co-founded the quartet "Sphere," along with Buster Williams, Ben Riley and Charlie Rouse. This band focused on the music of Thelonious Monk and original compositions inspired by him. Sphere recorded several outstanding projects for the Polygram label, among them "Four For All" and "Bird Songs." After the death of Charlie Rouse, the band took a 15-year hiatus and reunited, replacing Rouse with alto saxophonist Gary Bartz. This reformation made its debut recording for Verve Records in 1998.

Kenny Barron's own recordings for Verve have earned him five Grammy nominations, most recently for "Spirit Song" in 2000. Prior Grammy nominations went to "Sambao," "Night and the City" (a duet recording with Charlie Haden) and "Wanton Spirit" (a trio recording with Roy Haynes and Haden.) It is important to note that these three recordings each received double-Grammy nominations (for album AND solo performance.) Barron consistently wins the jazz critics and readers polls, including Downbeat, JazzTimes and Jazziz magazines. He has been named Best Pianist by the Jazz Journalists Association every year since 1997 and was as a finalist in the prestigious 2001 Jazz Par International Jazz Award.

Yusef Lateef: Atlantis Lullaby - The Concert From Avignon

Read "Atlantis Lullaby - The Concert From Avignon" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
April 27, 2024

Yusef Lateef's performance in Atlantis Lullaby is a masterclass in communication and demonstration of synergy. In this previously unreleased performance recorded in Avignon, France in 1972, Lateef, on soprano sax, tenor sax and flute, is accompanied by Kenny Barron on piano, Bob Cunningham on bass and Albert Tootie" Heath on drums. This two-CD package is being released by Elemental Music and produced for release by Zev Feldman. It contains a 23-page booklet with stories and reminiscences about Lateef from Feldman, ...

Album Review

Claudia Acuna: Duo

by Angelo Leonardi
March 12, 2024

Alcuni classici della canzone popolare latina costituiscono il nucleo del sesto disco da leader di Claudia Acuña. In questa celebrazione la cantante cilena ha coinvolto sette protagonisti del jazz contemporaneo in altrettante esecuzioni in duo caratterizzate da palpitante relazione con la loro identità tradizionale. I due brani conclusivi sono cantati in inglese e la vedono piena protagonista: “Cristal Silence" di Chick Corea è cantato a cappella; “YO" è una sua composizione originale eseguita con un sottofondo percussivo. ...

Live Review

Kenny Barron Residency at SFJAZZ Center

by Harry S. Pariser
February 21, 2024

Kenny Barron Residency SFJAZZ Center San Francisco February 1-4, 2024 Popularly dubbed an “elder statesman" of jazz, pianist Kenny Barron, needs no introduction to aficionados of contemporary American music. At 80, he is still actively playing, composing, mentoring, teaching, and releasing music (including two duets with Dave Holland). Barron joined his first orchestra at 15 and was hired by Dizzy Gillespie at 19. He went on to record numerous albums, co-founded the Thelonious Monk ...

Album Review

Kenny Barron: The Source

Read "The Source" reviewed by Maurizio Zerbo

by Maurizio Zerbo
December 18, 2023

Questo CD dimostra, se mai ce ne fosse bisogno, che solo il talento e l'estro possono sostenere efficacemente progetti discografici validi se imperniati sulla rivisitazione degli standard jazzistici. Un pianista dell'immensa classe come Kenny Barron non si accontenta di riproporre alcuni dei più fulgidi capolavori di Duke Ellington e Billy Strayhorn. Il suo obiettivo consiste nel rimodulare le strutture profonde del tessuto armonico-melodico attraverso un linguaggio pianistico aggiornato, ribollente di estroversa vitalità. Agendo come l'occhio umano quando ...

Radio & Podcasts

Kenny Barron, Kip Hanrahan, Claire Martin and More

by Jerome Wilson
July 19, 2023

This show covers a wide variety of jazz, from Kenny Barron and Ornette Coleman to Claire Martin and Kip Hanrahan. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Kip Hanrahan “Buddy Bolden's Blues" from All Roads Are Made of the Flesh (American Clave) 00:54 Ornette Coleman “Folk Tale" from This Is Our Music (Sepia Tone) 10:39 Host Speaks 15:28 Zanussi Five ...

Multiple Reviews

Recent Jazz Releases including a new one from Kenny Barron

by Jerome Wilson
May 17, 2023

Here are reviews of a diverse selection of jazz releases from the past few months. Allegra Levy Songs For You And Me Little Moon Records 2023 Vocalist Allegra Levy has made a children's music album for the most natural of reasons. She became a mother in 2021, giving birth to her daughter, Stella Plum. Levy wrote all the songs here, which touch on calypso, jazz, bluegrass, and many other genres. The ...

In Pictures

Kenny Barron Trio at Cremona Jazz Festival 2023

by Danilo Codazzi
May 8, 2023

A collection of photos from the Kenny Barron Trio concert at Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium in Cremona on April 27, 2023 featuring Kenny Barron, Kiyoshi Kitagawa and Johnathan Blake. ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kenny Barron

Source: Michael Ricci
June 9, 2023

All About Jazz is celebrating Kenny Barron's birthday today!

Kenny Barron's unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms is what inspired “The Los Angeles Times" to name him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and “Jazz Weekly" to call him “The most lyrical pianist of our time." Philadelphia is the birthplace of many great musicians, including one of the undisputed masters of the jazz piano: Kenny Barron. Kenny was born ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kenny Barron

Source: Michael Ricci
June 9, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Kenny Barron's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kenny Barron

Source: Michael Ricci
June 9, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Kenny Barron's birthday today!

Recording

Wedding Bliss: Greg Abate’s Musical Gifts Combined With Kenny Barron’s Gorgeous Compositions Is A Match Made In Bebop Heaven

Source: Mixed Media Promotion
March 12, 2021

There’s a beautiful marriage happening with Greg Abate’s Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron. It’s the union between Abate’s multi-instrumental gift of bebop and Kenny Barron’s varied and sublime compositions. Abate and Barron, who, in addition to lending Abate his material, handles keys on this recording session, are soul mates occupying the same lovely musical space. With Barron’s material and Abate’s fresh vision, the two-disc set, recorded over three days at Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey, is a ...
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Recording

Grammy-Nominated Vocalist Roseanna Vitro Reissues 1984 Debut Album, 'Listen Here,' Feat. Kenny Barron Trio

Source: Mouthpiece Music
January 14, 2021

Vocalist Roseanna Vitro—performer, recording artist, educator and journalist—reissues Listen Here, the debut album that launched her career. Featuring veteran pianist Kenny Barron, the project ushered into the spotlight a formidable new artist with chops and sensitivity in equal measure – a galvanizing spirit who, having already proven she could move live audiences, now certified her power on vinyl. The accompanying musicians on Listen Here are Kenny Barron (piano), Buster Williams (bass) and Ben Riley (drums). Also joining in are Arnett ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kenny Barron

Source: Michael Ricci
June 9, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Kenny Barron's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kenny Barron

Source: Michael Ricci
June 9, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Kenny Barron's birthday today!

Kenny Barron\'s unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms is what inspired “The Los Angeles Times" to name him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and “Jazz Weekly" to call him “The most lyrical pianist of our time." Philadelphia is the birthplace of many great musicians, including one of the undisputed masters of the jazz piano: Kenny Barron... Read more.

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