Kenny Garrett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kenny Garrett
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 a famous American jazz musician and composer. He plays the alto and soprano saxophone, and also the flute. Kenny Garrett became well-known early in his career. He was a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and later played with the legendary Miles Davis's band. Since 1985, he has also had a very successful solo career, releasing many of his own albums.

Kenny Garrett's Life and Music

Early Life and Musical Start

Kenny Garrett was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 9, 1960. His father was a carpenter who enjoyed playing the tenor saxophone as a hobby. Kenny's own journey as a saxophonist began when he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978. This famous orchestra was led by Mercer Ellington at the time.

Playing with Jazz Legends

Before starting his solo career, Kenny Garrett played and recorded with many other jazz greats. He performed with Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw. These experiences helped him grow as a musician and prepare for his own projects.

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

Solo Career and Unique Sound

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 Garrett 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.

Awards and Recognition

Kenny Garrett has received many honors for his contributions to music. In 2011, he was given an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He also gave the speech to the graduating students that year.

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

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

Honors and Achievements

Kenny Garrett has been recognized with several important honors:

• 2011: Received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
• 2023: Awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, a very high honor for jazz musicians in the United States.
• 2023: Named Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. This is a special award from France for people who have made important contributions to arts and literature.

Kenny Garrett's Influence in Jazz

Kenny Garrett is considered one of the most important alto saxophonists of his time. The Washington City Paper called him "The most important alto saxophonist of his generation." The New York Times described him as "One of the most admired alto saxophonists in jazz after Charlie Parker". This shows how much his music and playing style have impacted the world of jazz.

Discography

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

Albums as a Leader

• Introducing Kenny Garrett (1985)
• Prisoner of Love (1989)
• African Exchange Student (1990)
• Black Hope (1992)
• Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane (1996)
• Songbook (1997)
• Happy People (2002)
• Beyond the Wall (2006)
• Seeds from the Underground (2012)
• Pushing the World Away (2013)
• Do Your Dance! (2016)
• Sounds from the Ancestors (2021)
• Who Killed AI? with Svoy (2024)

Playing with Other Artists

Kenny Garrett has been a sideman (a musician who plays with a band but is not the leader) on many albums. Some of the notable artists he has played with include:

• Chick Corea (including the Grammy-winning Five Peace Band Live)
• Miles Davis (on albums like Amandla and Dingo)
• Freddie Hubbard
• Marcus Miller
• Woody Shaw
• Sting
• John Scofield

Awards and Nominations

Kenny Garrett has won and been nominated for many prestigious awards throughout his career.

See also

In Spanish: Kenny Garrett para niños