The legendary pianist plays with an all-star quintet, solo, orchestra and quartet on consecutive nights.
As its 2024-2025 season winds down, SFJAZZ offers pianist and 2010 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Kenny Barron in four very different settings from Thursday through Sunday (April 10- 13). Each concert will be held at Miner Auditorium.
On April 10, the 81-year-old pianist performs with his quintet, which includes bassist and fellow Philadelphia native Christian McBride, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, trumpeter Mike Rodriguez and drummer Johnathan Blake. On April 11, Barron showcases his trademark lyricism in a solo concert, while the April 12 show features his original compositions and arrangements of jazz classics with a chamber orchestra, plus Blake and bassist Kiyoshi Kitawaga. The concluding April 13 concert features the SFJAZZ resident artistic director performing in his own chamber setting with a quartet that features harmonica player Grégoire Maret, flutist Elena Pinderhughes and cellist Noah Jackson.
Barron started recording under his own name nearly 60 years ago, playing with a who’s-who of fellow jazz greats along the way. While still in high school, he worked with drummer Philly Joe Jones before relocating to New York City at age 19. In the Big Apple, Barron’s career flourished, with early gigs that included drummer Roy Haynes, trumpeter Lee Morgan, and saxophonist James Moody. Another trumpet icon, Dizzy Gillespie, hired Barron without even an audition in 1962 based upon Moody’s recommendation.
Starting in the 1970s, Barron balanced other star associations (Freddie Hubbard, Buddy Rich, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Stan Getz, Dave Holland, Ann Hampton Callaway) with a career in teaching. The awards and honors for the ageless artist have piled up since. Barron received a Living Legacy Award from the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation in 2009, and honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music in 2011 and his alma mater, SUNY Empire State, in 2013. His latest release, 2024’s Beyond This Place (Artwork), received critical acclaim and was named one of the year’s top releases in JAZZIZ and other publications.
For further information, visit http://sfjazz.org
