Jazz Articles about Tom Kennedy

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Tom Kennedy: In A New York Minute

by Jim Worsley
January 28, 2019

Riding high on the low end since arriving in New York City in 1984, premier jazz and fusion bassist Tom Kennedy has shared his groove and innate musicality all over the world. He has shared the stage and recording studio with a long list of varied and talented artists. Names like Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, Lee Ritenour, David Sanborn, Freddie Hubbard, Dave Weckl, Joe Sample, and Nat Adderley merely scratch the surface of Kennedy's association with outstanding musicians. Signature deep ...

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Tom Kennedy: Points of View

by Geno Thackara
March 26, 2017

Tom Kennedy is one of those behind-the-scenes players who's been all over the place in the jazz world. His bass is adaptable to just about any context, simple or tricky; he's been recruited for a solid low end by players from crooner Tania Maria to prog wizard Derek Sherinian. One of his steadiest ongoing stints has been a spot alongside Dave Weckl in several of his ensembles, mostly (though certainly not always) in the electrified fusion realm. With his fifth ...

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Tom Kennedy: Just Play!

by Dan Bilawsky
September 5, 2013

Bassist Tom Kennedy is often relegated to the back of the stage, both in literal and figurative terms. He's an in-demand sideman, well-known for his work with guitarist Mike Stern, his decades-long musical relationship with drummer Dave Weckl, and his studio work with everybody from guitarist Lee Ritenour to clarinetist Ken Peplowski, but he doesn't get noticed often enough in those situations; he really draws attention, however, when he takes control, as on this standards-based set. Just ...

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Tom Kennedy: Just Play!

by Edward Blanco
August 14, 2013

An accomplished musician known for his prowess on electric bass, Tom Kennedy fronts a nine-piece ensemble of top-notch players delivering engaging new interpretations of well-known jazz standards on Just Play!, his fourth album as leader. While much of his experience performing progressive and mainstream jazz has been on the electric bass, Kennedy's first experience began on double bass at the age of eleven. Here, the bassist leads the performance on his vintage St. Louis legend Jerry Cherry Bohemian upright bass.

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Bob Albanese Trio: One Way/Detour

by John Patten
July 16, 2009

In 2008, pianist Bob Albanese took his trio into a studio to do an unplanned recording while performing in Florida, spinning a collection of first and second takes with saxophonist Ira Sullivan that became One Way/Detour.

As a composer, Albanese uses rhythm to lay the groundwork for his compositions. He builds on spare harmonic and modal ideas, which are bolstered by steady support from Tom Kennedy on bass and Willard Dyson on drums, to create solid original works. ...

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Bob Albanese: One Way/Detour

by John Barron
May 27, 2009

When Bob Albanese was accompanying singer Ben Vereen in Palm Beach, Florida in early 2008, the pianist seized the opportunity to document his distinctive approach to modern acoustic jazz. With the aid of bassist Tom Kennedy and drummer Willard Dyson, Albanese called on legendary saxophonist Ira Sullivan, a longtime resident of Florida, to record One Way/Detour. In trio and quartet settings, Albanese leads the way through a fiery set of original and standard material.

The disc opener, “Major Minority," maintains ...

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Bob Albanese: One Way / Detour

by Warren Allen
May 1, 2009

For his Zoho debut, New York pianist Bob Albanese shows a nice array of colors and sides with some excellent original compositions and a few great standards. His love of classic jazz is evident throughout, but so too is a desire to push some limits. Throughout the album, he shows a touch for angular Latin rhythms and edgy feels, combining them with the effortless swing that fueled Red Garland, Horace Silver and Bud Powell.

Many of the trio's songs start ...