Kenny Barron Trio

“One of the top jazz pianists in the world.” – The Los Angeles Times

“The most lyrical piano player of our time.” – Jazz Weekly

Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, pianist Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. As a teenager, he started playing professionally with Mel Melvin’s orchestra. While still in high school. Kenny worked with drummer Philly Joe Jones and at age 19, he moved to New York City and freelanced with Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan and James Moody, after the tenor saxophonist heard him play at the Five Spot. Upon Moody’s recommendation Dizzy Gillespie hired Barron in 1962 without even hearing him play a note. It was in Dizzy’s band where Kenny 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. The early seventies found Kenny working with Yusef Lateef who Kenny credits as a key influence in his art for improvisation. In 1974, Kenny recorded his first album as a leader; this was to be the first in over 40 recordings (and still counting!) as a leader. Come see the Kenny Barron Trio with David Wong on bass and Savannah Harris on drums at the Jazz Forum!