Nigel Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nigel Kennedy
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Kennedy performing in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Born | 28 December 1956 Brighton, Sussex, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | EMI Classics |
Nigel Kennedy (born 28 December 1956) is a famous English violinist and violist. He is known for playing many types of music.
He started his career playing classical music. Over time, he began to explore other styles like jazz, klezmer (a type of folk music), and rock.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Nigel Kennedy was born in Brighton, England. He came from a musical family. His grandfather, Lauri Kennedy, was a cellist, and his grandmother, Dorothy Kennedy, was a pianist. His father, John Kennedy, was also a cellist.
Nigel was a very talented child. When he was just 10 years old, he could play Fats Waller jazz tunes on the piano just by listening to them. At age 7, he started studying at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music, a special school for young musicians. Later, he went to the Juilliard School in New York City to continue his studies. To help pay for school, he sometimes played music on the street, which is called busking.
Nigel Kennedy's Music Career
Becoming a Star Musician
When Nigel was 16, a famous jazz violinist named Stéphane Grappelli invited him to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. This was a big moment for him!
He made his first recording in 1984, playing Elgar's Violin Concerto. But he became super famous in 1989 with his recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. This album sold over two million copies and became one of the best-selling classical recordings ever. It stayed at the top of the UK classical music charts for more than a year.
In 1992, Nigel said he was taking a break from classical music. During this time, he explored other genres. He even recorded a cover of Jimi Hendrix's song "Fire" and played on Robert Plant's album. In 1999, he released an album called The Kennedy Experience, which featured his own improvisations based on Hendrix's music.
Music in the 2000s and Beyond
Nigel Kennedy continued to mix classical music with other styles. In 2000, he recorded Riders on the Storm: The Doors Concerto. This album featured orchestral versions of songs by the rock band The Doors. He also played the violin solo in the song "Baba O'Riley" with the rock band The Who at the Royal Albert Hall.
He has also worked with other artists like Kate Bush and Sarah Brightman. Nigel explored Klezmer music with a Polish jazz band called Kroke. In 2005, he released a jazz album called Blue Note Sessions.
Nigel Kennedy returned to the famous BBC Proms festival in 2008 after many years. He played Elgar's Violin Concerto and also performed with his own band, the Nigel Kennedy Quintet. He became the artistic director of the Polish Chamber Orchestra and later started his own group, the Orchestra of Life, which mostly includes Polish musicians.
Nigel also plays the viola and has recorded a concerto for that instrument. He has even written his own music for a play called Three Sisters.
Nigel Kennedy's Style
Nigel Kennedy is known for his unique style. He likes the energy of live performances and often records music in one go to capture that feeling. He also adds his own improvised parts to his performances, like his jazz-inspired additions to Beethoven's Violin Concerto.
Sometimes, his choices have caused discussions. For example, in 2021, he canceled a show because he wasn't allowed to play a Jimi Hendrix song. He wanted to perform "Little Wing" in a classical style.
Personal Life and Interests
Nigel Kennedy lives in different places, including England and Kraków, Poland. He is married to Agnieszka Chowaniec, who is a Polish actress. He also has a son named Sark Yves Amadeus.
Football Fan
Nigel Kennedy is a big fan of the Aston Villa F.C. football team. He even had his orchestra wear Aston Villa shirts and led the crowd in team chants at a festival in Poland! He also supports a Polish football team called KS Cracovia.
Political Views
Nigel Kennedy is a socialist, which means he believes in social equality and that society should work together for the good of everyone. He has spoken about his political views on different occasions.
Awards and Recognition
In 1991, Nigel Kennedy received an honorary degree from the University of Bath. This is a special award given to people who have achieved great things.
Discography
| Album | Year | Peak chart positions | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK |
AUS |
FRA |
NLD |
NZ |
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| Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 (EMI) | 1984 | 97 | — | — | — | — | London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley |
| Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor / Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1 / Schubert: Rondo in A (EMI) | 1988 | 28 | — | — | 75 | — | English Chamber Orchestra, Jeffrey Tate |
| Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (EMI) | 1989 | 3 | 12 | 35 | 15 | 3 | English Chamber Orchestra |
| Brahms: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77 (EMI) | 1991 | — | 71 | — | 76 | 29 | London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt |
| Kafka (EMI) | 1996 | 67 | — | — | — | — | |
| Kennedy Plays Bach (EMI) | 2000 | — | 73 | 47 | — | — | (as Kennedy) |
| Greatest Hits (EMI) | 2002 | 71 | — | — | — | — | with various artists |
| Vivaldi | 2003 | — | — | — | — | 36 | Berliner Philharmoniker |
| East Meets East (EMI) | 2003 | — | — | — | — | — | with Kroke |
| The Blue Note Sessions (Blue Note) | 2006 | — | — | 107 | — | — | |
| Beethoven: Violin Concerto / Mozart: Violin Concerto No.4 / Horace Silver: Creepin In (EMI) | 2008 | 99 | — | — | — | — | Polish Chamber Orchestra |
| SHHH! (EMI) | 2009 | — | — | — | — | — | Nigel Kennedy Quintet with vocals by Boy George |
| Recital (Sony) | 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | Nigel Kennedy Quintet |
| The New Four Seasons | 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| My World | 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | Composed by Nigel Kennedy, with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra & The Stella |
Images for kids
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Kennedy performing in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Nigel Kennedy para niños
