In its fifty-three years of existence, the Monterey Jazz Festival has kept the art of jazz alive in the American limelight. It stands as the longest-running jazz festival in the world, and it – even today – continues to bring joy (and jazz) into the hearts of a plethora of people. It started in 1958 with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Ernestine Anderson, Harry James, Max Roach, Billie Holliday, and the great Louis Armstrong. The festival consists of a touring group, as well as the complete festival, annually held every September at the Monterey Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. The touring group stops all over the United States, from East Coast to West Coast, enlightening people everywhere to the beauty of the American-made art form of jazz. And we, at the Alys Stephens Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as the city of Birmingham, itself, are proud – and lucky – to be a part of this legendary tour. Playing at the Alys Stephens Center this Sunday will be drummer Johnathan Blake, bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa, vocalist Kurt Elling, acclaimed for “his own distinctive sound,” violinist Regina Carter, who, “has been a solid jazz player for many years, prominently with the all-women jazz quintet Straight Ahead; some will remember her previous impressive gig at the Alys Stephens Center,” guitarist Russell Malone, who, “became known as a member of Jimmy Smith’s and Diana Krall’s small groups and Harry Connick’s big band; more recently he has been playing with Ron Carter and in duet with Benny Green or Bill Frisell,” and perhaps one of the pioneers of jazz, itself, legendary pianist Kenny Barron who, as described by many, “is considered one of jazz’s most versatile and lyrical pianists.” The following is an excerpt taken from Kenny Barron’s biography from the official Monterey Jazz Festival website:
“Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms is what inspired the Los Angeles Times to name him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly to call him “The most lyrical piano player of our time.” Kenny was born in Philadelphia in 1943 and while a teenager, started playing professionally with Mel Melvin’s orchestra. This local band also featured Barron’s brother Bill, the late tenor saxophonist. By 1959, and still in high school, Kenny had worked with drummer Philly Joe Jones. At age 19, Kenny moved to New York City and freelanced with Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan and James Moody after the tenor saxophonist heard him play at the Five Spot. Upon Moody’s recommendation Dizzy Gillespie hired Barron in 1962 without even hearing him play a note. It was in Dizzy’s band where Kenny developed an appreciation for Latin and Caribbean rhythms. After five years with Dizzy, Barron played with Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, and Buddy Rich. The early seventies found Kenny working with Yusef Lateef, who Kenny credits as a key influence in his art for improvisation. Encouraged by Lateef to pursue a college education, Barron balanced touring with studies and earnedhis B.A. in Music from Empire State College. By 1973, Kenny joined the faculty at Rutgers University as professor of music. He held this tenure until 2000, mentoring many of today’s young talents including David Sanchez, Terence Blanchard and Regina Bell. In 1974 Kenny recorded his first album as a leader for the Muse label, entitled Sunset To Dawn. This was to be the first in over 40 recordings as a leader.Following stints with Ron Carter in the late seventies, Kenny formed a trio with Buster Williams and Ben Riley which also worked alongside of Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt and Harry “Sweets” Edison. Throughout the 80s Barron collaborated with the great tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, touring with his quartet and recording several legendary albums including Anniversary, Serenity, and the Grammy nominated People Time. Also during the 80s, he co-founded the quartet “Sphere,” alongwith Buster Williams, Ben Riley and Thelonious Monk’s longtime saxophonist, Charlie Rouse. This band focused on the music of Monk and original compositions inspired by him. Sphere recorded several outstanding projects for the Polygram label, among them Four For All and Bird Songs. After Rouse’s death in the 1988, the band took a long hiatus. In 1998, the band reunited with alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, making its debut recording for Verve Records. Kenny Barron’s own recordings for Verve have earned him nine Grammy nominations beginning in 1992 with People Time, an outstanding duet with Stan Getz, followed by the Brazilian-influenced Sambao and Freefall in 2002. Other Grammy nominations went to Spirit Song, Night and the City (a duet recording with Charlie Haden) and Wanton Spirit, a trio recording with Roy Haynes and Haden.Canta Brasil linked Barron with Trio de Paz in a fest of original Brazilian jazz, and was named Critics’ Choice Top Ten CDs of 2003 by Jazziz magazine. 2004’s Images was inspired by a suite originally commissioned by The Wharton Center at Michigan State University and features multi-Grammy nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris. The long awaited trio sequel featuring Ray Drummond and Ben Riley, The Perfect Set, Live At Bradley’s, Part Two was released in 2005. In 2008, Mr. Barron released his first studio recording in four years with The Traveler, an intoxicating mix of favorite Barron tunes set to lyrics and newly penned compositions. Barron consistently wins the jazz critics and readers’ polls, including Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazziz magazines. In 2005 he was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame and won a MAC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a six-time recipient of Best Pianist by the Jazz Journalists Association and was as a finalist in the prestigious 2001 Jazz Par International Jazz Award. He was selected as a NEA Jazz Master for 2010, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. Whether he is playing solo, trio or quintet, Kenny Barron is recognized the world over as a master of performance and composition.”
In light of this critical acclaim, Birmingham, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Alys Stephens Center are honored to have Kenny Barron and the entire Monterey Jazz Festival On-Tour with us. Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of jazz in this once-in-a-lifetime event – Sunday, February 28, 2010, in the Alys Stephens Center. The show takes place Sunday, February 28, at 3 p.m. Call (205) 975-ARTS for ticket info.
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