Kenny Werner, a world-class composer and pianist, is Kenny Werner. His prolific output of compositions and recordings continues to have an impact on audiences all over the globe. Kenny received the Guggenheim Fellowship Award in 2010 for his seminal work No Beginning No End. No Beginning No End is an album that explores tragedy, loss, death, transition and the journey from one life to the next. Kenny’s third album, Half Note Records, features over 70 musicians. It includes Joe Lovano and Judy Silvano as well as the Wind Ensemble, Choir, String Quartet, Wind Ensemble, Choir, and Wind Ensemble. Kenny was born in Brooklyn, NY, on November 19, 1951. He grew up in Oceanside on Long Island. At the age of 11, he recorded his first television show. He was a classical pianist as a child but he loved playing any music he heard on the radio. He was a classical pianist major at the Manhattan School of Music in high school and college. Kenny’s natural talent for improvisation brought him to the Berklee School of Music, in 1970. He sought the guidance of Madame Chaloff, a renowned pianist teacher. Kenny was inspired by her wisdom and inspiration. He wanted music that was conscious of its spiritual essence and intent. Kenny left Boston to travel to Brazil with Victor Assis Brasil, a saxophonist. He met Victor’s twin brother Joao Assis Brazil, a Brazilian pianist. Joao was his teacher and he helped Kenny to create Effortless mastery. This opus is about how to make the inner musician a true master. The book was published in 1996. The Book was recently made available in ebook format on kindle and Ibooks. In 1981, Kenny formed his own trio with drummer Tom Rainey (bassist) and Ratzo Harris (drummer). The Kenny Werner Trio grew over fourteen years and was a huge success, delighting audiences across America and Europe. They also recorded four albums. He has composed many original compositions for trios and small groups. In the mid 1980’s, Kenny became the pianist of the Mel Lewis Orchestra, now known as the Village Vanguard Orchestra. Mel Brookmeyer challenged him to compose for the band. He then produced his first arrangements and compositions for jazz orchestra. This led to Kenny writing for major European bands such as the Cologne, Danish and Stockholm Jazz Orchestras. Two CDs have been released by Werner with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. He released one CD in 2011, titled “Institute Of Higher Learning”. Werner has been commissioned to write music for large ensembles, such as full orchestras, jazz orchestras, and wind ensembles. This is the latest CD, No Beginning, No End. He continues to make CDs. 2012 will see the release of a new solo CD and a new Quintet Cd. In the 1990’s, a number of outstanding musical partnerships were formed. Kenny continues to perform duo with Toots Thielemans (the legendary harmonica player). He has been arranging and playing with Betty Buckley for twenty years. Together they recorded six albums and she sang his arrangements for small bands and orchestras around the world. Joe Lovano has been his musical collaborator and friend for nearly 40 years. They have both recorded on several of each other’s projects. Kenny formed a new group with Ari Hoenig (drums) and Johannes Weidenmueller (bass). The trio toured for nearly a decade and released three albums together, Kenny as arranger, composer and pianist. Peace – Live At the Blue Note was their last album. This album launched a great relationship with Half Note Records (the recording arm of Blue Note Jazz Club). Before the release of No Beginning No End, he recorded three more CDs. Kenny Werner’s first album was released by Blue Note Records in 2007. Lawn Chair Society, which featured Chris Potter, Dave Douglas and Scott Colley, was praised for its blend of electro-acoustic elements. He has been touring for many years with his quintet, which includes Randy Brecker’s legendary trumpet player Randy Brecker on sax and Antonio Sanchez on drums, Scott Colley on bass, and David Sanchez on sax. The most recent Half Note release is called “Balloons”. Quincy Jones said that Kenny was “Perfection”, “360 degrees of soul and science” in one person. Kenny’s groundbreaking work on Improvisation was published in 1996. Effortless Mastery – Liberating the Master Musikian Within uses Kenny’s life experiences to provide a window into an artist’s mind and helps them understand their emotional, spiritual, as well as psychological side of life. It is one of the most popular books on music andimprovisation. This book has helped thousands of musicians unlock their potential and talent. Without any intention Werner started a revolution by inspiring musicians to do inner work to improve their musical experience. Artists of all mediums and business professionals also love the book. Kenny continues to give clinics and teach in the United States as well as abroad. He is currently Artist-in Residence at New York University. Kenny Werner is an unrivaled influence. His influence has been felt by a whole generation of musicians, artists. Kenny remains focused on music, despite his artistic output. from http://kennywerner.com
