Kenny Garrett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett performing in 2013
Background information
Born	(1960-10-09) October 9, 1960 (age 64) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Jazz post-bop jazz fusion
Occupations	Musician
Instruments	Alto saxophone Soprano saxophone Flute Piano
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Atlantic Jazz Warner Bros Mack Avenue Criss Cross Jazz
Associated acts	Five Peace Band Miles Davis Woody Shaw Art Blakey Marcus Miller

Kenny Garrett (born October 9, 1960) is an amazing American jazz musician and composer. He plays the alto and soprano saxophone, and also the flute. He became famous when he was young, playing with the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra and later with Miles Davis's band. Since 1985, Kenny Garrett has been making his own music as a solo artist.

Kenny Garrett's Early Life and Music Journey

Kenny Garrett was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 9, 1960. He went to Mackenzie High School. His father was a carpenter who loved playing the tenor saxophone as a hobby.

Starting His Music Career

Kenny's own journey as a saxophonist began when he joined the famous Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978. At that time, the orchestra was led by Mercer Ellington, Duke's son. Kenny also played and recorded music with other jazz legends like Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw. These experiences helped him prepare for his own solo career.

First Albums and Joining Bands

In 1984, Kenny Garrett recorded his very first album as a bandleader. It was called Introducing Kenny Garrett. In the same year, he helped start a band called Out of the Blue. In 1986, Kenny became a member of Art Blakey's famous group, Jazz Messengers.

Solo Success and Grammy Awards

Kenny Garrett later signed with Warner Bros. Records. He released eight albums with them, starting with Black Hope in 1992. His music sometimes includes sounds and ideas from Asian cultures. You can hear this especially in his 2006 album Beyond the Wall, which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Christian McBride, John McLaughlin, Vinnie Colaiuta and Kenny Garrett performing in 2008

Around 2008, Kenny joined a supergroup called the "Five Peace Band". This band included other amazing musicians like Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade or Vinnie Colaiuta. Their live album, Five Peace Band – Live, won a Grammy Award in 2010!

Recognitions and Recent Works

In 2011, Kenny Garrett received a special award: an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He also gave the graduation speech to the students.

In 2012, Kenny's album Seeds from the Underground was nominated for a Soul Train Award. It also received Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Improvised Jazz Solo. The album was even nominated for an NAACP Image Award. In 2013, Kenny won an Echo Award for Saxophonist of the Year.

His 2013 album, Pushing the World Away, also received a Grammy nomination. Since then, he has released Do Your Dance! (2016) and Sounds from the Ancestors (2021). In 2024, he released his first electronic album, Who Killed AI?, working with producer Svoy.

Awards and Special Honors

Kenny Garrett has received many important awards and honors throughout his career.

Major Awards and Nominations

He has won several DownBeat Readers Poll awards for "Alto Saxophone," showing he is a favorite among jazz fans. His albums have also been nominated for and won prestigious Grammy Awards.

Other Recognitions

• 2011: Received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
• 2023: Honored with the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, a very high award for jazz musicians in the U.S.
• 2023: Awarded the Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. This means he was recognized for his important contributions to arts and literature.

Kenny Garrett's Impact on Jazz

Kenny Garrett is considered a very important figure in jazz music. The Washington City Paper called him "The most important alto saxophonist of his generation." The New York Times also praised him as "One of the most admired alto saxophonists in jazz after Charlie Parker." These statements show how much his music and playing style have influenced others.

Kenny Garrett's Music Albums

Kenny Garrett has released many albums as a leader and has also played on albums with other famous musicians.

Albums as a Leader

Here are some of the albums where Kenny Garrett is the main artist:

• Introducing Kenny Garrett (Criss Cross, 1985)
• Prisoner of Love (Atlantic, 1989)
• African Exchange Student (Atlantic, 1990)
• Black Hope (Warner Bros., 1992)
• Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane (Warner Bros., 1996)
• Songbook (Warner Bros., 1997)
• Beyond the Wall (Nonesuch, 2006)
• Seeds from the Underground (Mack Avenue, 2012)
• Pushing the World Away (Mack Avenue, 2013)
• Sounds from the Ancestors (Mack Avenue, 2021)
• Who Killed AI? with Svoy (Mack Avenue, 2024)

Playing with Other Artists

Kenny Garrett has also played as a sideman (a supporting musician) on many albums with other jazz greats. Some of the famous musicians he has worked with include:

• Donald Byrd
• Chick Corea (including the Grammy-winning Five Peace Band Live)
• Miles Davis (on several albums like Amandla)
• Roy Haynes
• Freddie Hubbard
• Marcus Miller
• Mulgrew Miller
• John McLaughlin
• Sting

See also

In Spanish: Kenny Garrett para niños