Nigel Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nigel Kennedy
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Kennedy performing in 2010
|
|
| 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 different kinds of music.
Nigel started his career playing classical music. Over time, he began to explore other styles. These include jazz, klezmer (a type of Jewish folk music), and rock.
Contents
Nigel Kennedy's Early Life
Nigel Kennedy was born in Brighton, England. He came from a family of musicians. His grandfather, Lauri Kennedy, was a main cellist for the BBC Symphony Orchestra. His grandmother, Dorothy Kennedy, was a pianist. Nigel's father, John Kennedy, was also a cellist.
Nigel was a very talented child. When he was just 10 years old, he could play jazz tunes on the piano. He learned them just by listening to records.
Starting Music School
At age 7, Nigel began studying at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music. This is a special school for young musicians. Later, he went to the Juilliard School in New York City. There, he studied with a famous teacher named Dorothy DeLay. To help pay for his studies, Nigel sometimes played music on the street. This is called busking.
Nigel Kennedy's Musical Journey
Nigel Kennedy's career has been full of exciting performances and recordings. He has played with many famous musicians. He has also explored many different music styles.
Early Career Highlights
When Nigel was 16, a jazz violinist named Stéphane Grappelli invited him to play. They performed together at Carnegie Hall in New York. This was a big moment for a young musician.
Nigel made his first recording in 1984. It was Elgar's Violin Concerto. His recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons was a huge success. It sold over two million copies in 1989. This made it one of the best-selling classical recordings ever. The album stayed at the top of the UK classical charts for more than a year.
Exploring New Sounds
In 1992, Nigel announced he would take a break from classical music. During this time, he recorded an album called Music in Colours. He also played a cover of Jimi Hendrix's song "Fire". This was for a tribute album in 1993. He also appeared on Robert Plant's album Fate of Nations.
Nigel returned to performing classical music in the mid-1990s. In 1997, he won an award for his great contribution to British music. In 2001, he was named 'Male Artist of the Year'.
Music After 2000
In 2000, Nigel recorded Riders on the Storm: The Doors Concerto. This was an orchestral version of Doors songs. Later that year, he joined the rock band The Who. He played a violin solo in their song "Baba O'Riley" at the Royal Albert Hall.
Nigel has also worked with other artists. He played on songs by Kate Bush and Sarah Brightman. He explored Klezmer music with a Polish jazz band called Kroke. In 2005, he released a jazz album called Blue Note Sessions. He played with famous jazz musicians like Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette.
In 2008, Nigel returned to the Proms concert series after 21 years. He performed Elgar's Violin Concerto. He also played a late-night concert with his own group, the Nigel Kennedy Quintet. He became the artistic director of the Polish Chamber Orchestra. In 2010, he started his own group, the Orchestra of Life. This group is mostly made up of Polish musicians.
In 2013, Nigel played The Four Seasons again at the Proms. He performed with young Palestinian musicians called the Palestine Strings. He also played with the Orchestra of Life. During this concert, he spoke about his wish for equality and peace for all people. He believes that fairness can lead to wonderful things.
Nigel also plays the viola. He has recorded Sir William Walton's Viola Concerto. He has also written his own music. This includes music for Chekhov's play Three Sisters. Nigel published his second autobiography in 2021. It is called Nigel Kennedy Uncensored!.
Nigel Kennedy's Public Image
Nigel Kennedy is known for his unique style. In 1991, a BBC Radio 3 leader criticized his "ludicrous" clothes and "self-invented accent."
Nigel has always preferred live performances. He often records entire pieces in one go. This helps to keep the feeling of a live show in his recordings. He also likes to add his own improvised parts to his music. For example, he added a jazz-inspired section to Beethoven's Violin Concerto.
In 2021, Nigel cancelled a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This happened because the host, Classic FM, did not want him to include a Jimi Hendrix song. He had planned to play a version of "Little Wing".
Nigel Kennedy's Interests
Nigel Kennedy has interests outside of music. He is a big fan of football.
Football Fan
Nigel is a strong supporter of Aston Villa F.C., a football team. At a festival in Poland in 2010, he had his orchestra wear Aston Villa shirts. He even led the crowd in the team's chants. He also supports a Polish football team called KS Cracovia. He has worn their team kit to show his support.
Views on Society
Nigel Kennedy is known for his strong beliefs about society. He has spoken out about his desire for fairness and equality for all people. He believes that everyone should have the same chances in life. He has expressed his views on various global issues. He once told a reporter that he was shocked by walls separating people. He believes that treating people equally allows for amazing things to happen.
Awards and Recognition
In 1991, Nigel Kennedy received an honorary degree. This was a Doctor of Letters from the University of Bath. It recognized his achievements in music.
Images for kids
-
Kennedy performing in 2010
-
Nigel Kennedy performing in Poland
See also
In Spanish: Nigel Kennedy para niños
