Kenny Barron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenny Barron
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Barron at the Oslo Jazzfestival 2018
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | June 9, 1943 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
Kenny Barron (born June 9, 1943) is a famous American jazz pianist and composer. He is considered one of the most important jazz pianists since the bebop era, a style of jazz known for its fast pace and complex melodies. Barron has played on hundreds of albums, both as the main artist and as a "sideman," which means he played alongside other musicians.
Contents
Early Life and Learning Piano
Kenny Barron was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had an older brother, Bill Barron, who was a talented saxophone player.
When Kenny was six years old, his mother made him start taking piano lessons. At first, he didn't like it at all. "I hated it," he once said. "I wanted to be outside playing with the other kids." But over time, he grew to love playing the piano.
His teacher was Vera Bryant, who was the sister of another famous jazz pianist, Ray Bryant. By the time he was 15, Kenny was already playing in a local orchestra. While still in high school, he played with well-known musicians like saxophonist Jimmy Heath and Yusef Lateef.
Musical Influences
Barron was inspired by many great pianists. He especially admired Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan. He loved their smooth and lyrical style of playing. He said their phrasing was "like a rubber band... very loose, it wasn't rigid."
He also learned from listening to other piano legends like Wynton Kelly, McCoy Tyner, and Herbie Hancock.
A Career in Jazz
Just a few days after graduating from high school, Barron went on tour with Yusef Lateef. In 1961, he moved to New York City to build his music career. He quickly found work playing with saxophonist James Moody.
Playing with Jazz Legends
In New York, Barron's talent was noticed by many famous musicians. He played with Lou Donaldson, Roy Haynes, and Lee Morgan. From 1962 to 1966, he toured the world as the pianist in Dizzy Gillespie's band. Gillespie was one of the most famous jazz trumpeters in history.
After leaving Gillespie's band, Barron played with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and then spent three years with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. He also worked as a music arranger for singer Esther Marrow. In 1978, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Empire State College.
Famous Collaborations
Between 1986 and 1991, Barron recorded several popular albums with the great saxophonist Stan Getz. These included Voyage and People Time: The Complete Recordings. Barron said he and Getz worked well together because they both loved to play lyrically, meaning with a beautiful, song-like quality. Getz once called Barron his "favorite pianist of all time."
Barron is also known for being a great accompanist for singers. An accompanist is a musician who plays along with a singer, providing background music that supports their voice. He has recorded with famous vocalists like Abbey Lincoln, Dianne Reeves, and Jane Monheit.
Composing and Teaching
Besides being a great performer, Kenny Barron is also a talented composer. He has written more than 50 pieces of music. His most famous composition is "Voyage," which has been recorded by over 75 other artists.
For more than 25 years, Barron taught music at Rutgers University. He now teaches at the famous Juilliard School of Music in New York City. Many of his students have gone on to have successful careers in music.
Awards and Recognition
Barron's incredible talent has earned him many awards. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award 14 times. In 2005, he was added to the American Jazz Hall of Fame. In 2010, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee College of Music.
The Los Angeles Times called him "one of the top jazz pianists in the world."
Discography
Kenny Barron has recorded many albums as a leader throughout his long career. His work shows his skill in different jazz styles, from playing solo piano to leading small groups and collaborating with other famous artists.
See also
In Spanish: Kenny Barron para niños
