Kenny Barron

The cultured piano style of Kenny Barron has perceptively informed scores of albums since his recording debut with his older brother, tenor saxophonist Bill Barron in 1961.

Born in Philadelphia on June 9th 1943 he started on the piano at age 12 and was later tutored by Ray Bryant. After some experience in the R & B field he joined Philly Joe Jones at 16. In 1962 he was in the Dizzy Gillespie group and stayed until 1966, replacing Lalo Schifrin. Touring with Diz brought him international attention and he was soon working with the likes of Freddie Hubbard (1970-75), Yusef Lateef (1976) and then Ron Carter (unil 1980).

He has been a full time instructor at Rutgers University, teaching theory, keyboard harmony and piano.

His work with the late Stan Getz was probably the most demanding and fruitful, he replaced Chick Corea in the Getz quartet for a short while and then again he was a member for two years (1984-86), and after a short break again in 1987 for a European tour with Victor Lewis and Rufus Reid. The last tour he did with Stan was in March of 1991, this was to be the last tour for Stan, and a recording done at the Cafe Montemartre in Copenhagen as a duo is one of the best jazz recordings available.

Recommended recordings:"Voyage" with Stan Getz Black-Hawk BKH 511-2
"People Time" with Stan GetzVerve 314 510 823-2
"Standards" Reservoir RSR CD 126
"It's Time" with Nick BrignolaReservoir RSR CD 123
"Scratch" Enja CD 4092-07
"The only one" Reservoir RSR CD 115
"The Moment" Reservoir RSR CD 121
"Live at Maybeck Hall"Concord CCD-4466
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