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Kenny Wesley

He is a songwriter, pianist, vocalist with a range spanning more than four octaves, and a linguist who speaks five languages. His name is Kenny Wesley. With three acclaimed projects, numerous accolades, collaborations, compilation features, and high-profile performances under his belt, including a win as a finalist, and the United States representative, for the 2013 Montreux Jazz Festival’s Shure Vocal Competition, Kenny has firmly placed his stamp on the burgeoning modern music movement.

His songs, fusing elements of electronic, jazz, funk, classical, folk and gospel, have been prominently featured on radio, film and TV – including the FOX series So You Think You Can Dance. A welcomed guest to festivals and legendary venues across the globe such as SXSW, The Kennedy Center, Southport Weekender, Jazz Cafe London, Blues Alley, A-Trane, Montreux Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scotts, The White House, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Jazz à Vienne, The Blue Note, Bohemian Caverns, and The Apollo Theatre Cafe, he has shared the stage with numerous artists and musicians including Maysa (Incognito), the B52s, Vinx, Rachelle Ferrell, Kurt Elling, Sheila Jordan, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Giacomo Gates, Vikter Duplaix, Leela James, Charnett Moffett, Frédéric Yonnet (Prince, Stevie Wonder), Mino Cinélu (Miles Davis, Weather Report), Federico Peña (Marcus Miller, Meshell Ndegeocello), Stephanie Mills, Regina Belle, Zo!, Carmen Rodgers, Phonte (Little Brother, The Foreign Exchange), Alice Smith, Eric Roberson, Kindred and The Family Soul, N’Dambi and Syleena Johnson.

Awards

Shure Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, 2nd Prize (2013)

Washington Area Music Award, Urban Contemporary Vocalist (2015)

Washington Area Music Award, Urban Contemporary Recording (2015)

Soultracks Readers' Choice Awards, Male Vocalist of the Year, nomination (2013)

Singer/Songwriter Kenny Wesley To Open For The Legendary Stephanie Mills

Source: Kl Ma
April 15, 2011

Grammy Award-winning Songstress and Broadway Star Stephanie Mills will be performing at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, on Saturday, April 30th at 7:30PM with Howard University Alum Kenny Wesley as the opening act. Making his Birchmere debut is Washington, D.C.'s own emerging star, Kenny Wesley. A former Pre-med major turned international jazz and soul musical linguist, Kenny stands poised to captivate the audience with his 4-octave range and sultry tone."It will definitely be an out-of-body experience meeting and performing with ...
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Recording

Kenny Wesley Releases His Debut Ep "Im Sorry"

Source: All About Jazz
October 19, 2008

Classically-trained singer/songwriter Kenny Wesley may be new to the music industry, but he is far from amateur. Originally from Jacksonville, North Carolina, he has opened for Anthony David and has shared the stage with countless legendary artists such as Yolanda Adams, Mike Phillips, Jean Carne and Gordon Chambers. His songs have been featured on national television: in 2004, his song and video “Epiphany", co-written by Timothy Butler, was featured on ABC's The View. College brought Kenny to his home of ...
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"The voice of an angel with the skill of Billie Holiday" (Mira Sorvino, Academy Award- Winning Actress)

"The most exciting artist since Prince" (Natan Press, The Deli) "Funky & exciting, a voice taking us in the right direction" (Maysa Leak, Grammy- Nominated Artist)

"Press play and fall in soulful-nerd love with…Kenny Wesley" (Sun Singleton, Ebony Magazine)

"Kenny’s tenor is Hathaway deep, Luther warm and, in terms of color, could only be described as golden. Truly an anointing moment whenever he and a microphone cross paths" (Gordon Chambers, Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter)