Kevin Hays
Kevin has performed and recorded with some of the most prominent and influential musicians in Jazz. These include Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Benny Golson, Roy Haynes, Chris Potter, Al Foster, Joe Henderson, Buster Williams, Art Farmer and Joshua Redman.
Born May 1st of 1968 in New York City and raised in Connecticut, he began studying piano at the age of 6 and was playing professionally by 15. At 17 he began playing with baritone saxophone great Nick Brignola. After spending a year at The Manhattan School of Music, he began traveling in the U.S., Japan, and Europe with various bands including The Harper Brothers, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson and Eddie Gomez. In 1995 Sonny Rollins invited him to join his group; a year and a half later he began touring with guitarist John Scofield in his celebrated "Quiet" band.
Today, Kevin continues to perform worldwide in Solo concerts, with his Trio which includes bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart, and with The Sangha Quartet which features Seamus Blake, FLY, and Bill Stewart. He also conducts Master Classes in the U.S. and overseas.
Kevin's recent recording activity includes a new Solo Piano CD Open Range on the ACT label; the launching of PinonDisk Records, his own label on which he has released his latest Trio CD What Survives; a new trio project with the groundbreaking web-based company, and two releases under the JazzEyes label: For Heaven's Sake (2006) and the newest and just released You've Got a Friend.
Tags
Album Review
- What Survives by John Kelman
- For Heaven's Sake by Dan McClenaghan
- Piano Works III: Open Range by Andrew Rowan
- You've Got a Friend by John Barron
- Variations by Dan Bilawsky
Interview
Album Review
Play This!
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"He's all-encompassing; phenomenally so!" —John Scofield
"...Exquisite at every turn." —Musician Magazine
"I've never met a musician who is as perfect in their approach to improvisation. I've learned a lot working with him.” —Nicholas Payton
"Stellar! Kevin Hays is a true original. Everything he plays has a deep intelligence and swing." —Brad Mehldau
Justin Page
drumsPhotos
Albums
With A Little Help From My Friends
From: BridgesBy Kevin Hays
Tropicalia
From: RETRO TrilogyBy Kevin Hays
The Wind
From: RETRO TrilogyBy Kevin Hays
The Chief (Al Foster)
From: Lost and FoundBy Kevin Hays
Coyote
From: 1962By Kevin Hays
Bridge Over Troubled Water
From: You've Got a FriendBy Kevin Hays