Michael Kanan

Michael Kanan hails from Boston, Massachusetts where he first began to play the piano at age 7. He started improvising at the keyboard early on, and by age 10 he was listening to jazz. His first instructor was pianist Harvey Diamond, a student of jazz innovator Lennie Tristano. During his years at Boston College, Michael had the opportunity to perform with several jazz greats including Tal Farlow, Lee Konitz, Al Cohn, and Alan Dawson. After graduating college and doing some freelance work around Boston, he moved to New York in 1991 to study with another Tristano student, the pianist Sal Mosca. He established himself in New York, playing and recording with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, and Jorge Rossy, among others. He also developed a growing reputation as a vocal accompanist. In 1996, he joined the band of legendary singer Jimmy Scott, touring the US, Europe, and Japan and recording 4 CDs. In 2001, Michael became the accompanist and arranger for one of today's most celebrated vocalists, Jane Monheit. With Ms. Monheit's group, he has toured all over the world, recorded several CDs and DVDs, and made many TV appearances, including The David Letterman Show and The Conan O'Brien Show.

When not on the road with the Monheit band, Michael performs and records with his own groups. He has made two trio recordings for Barcelona's Fresh Sound New Talent label: "Convergence" and "The Gentleman Is A Dope", both featuring bassist Ben Street and drummer Tim Pleasant. He has also recorded a duet with his longtime collaborator, alto saxophonist Nat Su, entitled "Dreams And Reflections". He can be heard around New York with his trio featuring guitarist Greg Ruggiero and bassist Neal Miner.

Today, Michael lives in Brooklyn, and is a student of classical piano teacher Sophia Rosoff.

Jane Monheit: Come What May

Read "Come What May" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
August 30, 2021

Some reviews should be easy, particularly when the artist is established, celebrated, and universally esteemed. Almost anyone interested in contemporary jazz and pop singing knows Jane Monheit. Quoting SFJAZZ directly, “In 1998, Monheit was a finalist at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Vocals Competition, taking second to the late Teri Thornton. She recorded twelve albums, was a GRAMMY nominee for her 2004 Sony release Taking a Chance on Love, and has worked with Terence Blanchard, Ivan Lins, Michael ...

Performance / Tour

Joel Press and Michael Kanan (June 29, 2010)

Source: Jazz Lives by Michael Steinman
July 22, 2010

I had first heard the saxophonist Joel Press on a CD called HOW'S THE HORN TREATING YOU? some years ago. I was delighted by his imagination, his ease, his sense of self--he knows and has lived through an entire jazz tradition from Lester and Hawkins to free jazz and beyond, but he sounds utterly like himself.

Then, more recently, I had the good fortune to hear his duet sessions with pianist Kyle Aho, UNTYING THE STANDARD, which impressed me greatly. ...
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Performance / Tour

The Abby Whiteside Foundation Presents Jane Monheit and Michael Kanan at Weill Hall on April 22nd, 2008

Source: Two for the Show Media
March 16, 2008

The Abby Whiteside Foundation presents “The 2008 Piano Recital Series" at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall featuring Vocalist Jane Monheit and pianist Michael Kanan on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 8:00 PM. This performance will include an opening set from long time Monheit pianist, Michael Kanan followed by a duo set of Michael Kanan and Jane Monheit together- In a rare acoustic setting, performing many classics from the American Songbook! Jane Monheit - Vocals Michael Kanan - Piano ...
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