This year's Brisbane International Jazz Festival brings a global smorgasbord of renowned masters to our doorstep from the end of May, none more legendary than pianist Kenny Barron and his trio.
Kenny has lived his entire life as a devoted jazzman, his commitment recognised in 2010 when he was dubbed a Jazz Master by the National Endowment For The Arts (in the US).
Being named a Jazz Master in 2010 by US's National Endowment for the Arts… that must've been a massive honour? Also, is there special handshake for a Jazz Master member to learn?
No special handshake lol! Yes, it is an honour to be acknowledged by my peers and the world of music. The NEA is a well-respected body that supports the arts worldwide and promotes the role of Americans in the development and expansion of creative and innovative art. To be in the same group of musicians as Count Basie, Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Gil Evans and Ornette Colman among many others, is humbling.
You're also considered by many within the genre and beyond as one of the most mainstream jazz pianists since the bebop era… how do you wrap your mind around such a statement?
I’m not sure what you mean by mainstream. I play music that inspires me and intrigues me and I love to to be challenged and I love to be challenged by musicians that I share a stage with.
How did you first enter the world of jazz and piano?
There was an upright piano in the house where I grew up in Philly and every time the iceman would make a delivery he would sit and play a few tunes. That was probably the beginning of my love for the piano.
I come from a family of 5 and we were all required to play the piano and I started learning classical music at an early age from 6 years to 12 years. One of my teachers was Vera Bryant, the sister of Ray Bryant and mother of Kevin and Robin Eubanks. I was exposed to jazz by my elder brother, Bill, who was a tenor saxophonist living in NY. He was 17 years older than me, so we didn’t work together until I was a teenager.
My first paid gig was when I was 14 at the Elks Lodge in South Philly. Bill had gotten me the job at a cabaret and since I was underage my father had to come and pick me up before the curfew.
Was music a first love or did you also excel at other endeavours?
Music is definitely my first love. If I wasn’t a musician perhaps I would be a science-fiction writer since I love to read about the occult, outer space and life forms on other planets.
Favourite memory from playing live all these years… does a moment crystallise for you?
Stan Getz and I recorded 'People Time' and toured, which was a key period for me. He was a very lyrical musician and we complemented each other well.
Another musician I loved playing duo with was the great Mulgrew Miller. We both knew what the other was thinking and he always challenged me to grow. Another of my favourites is Regina Carter. She has big ears, so wherever I go musically she is there. Her experience in different styles of music is fantastic. She can pull from gypsy, African, country western, Alabama roots music and Detroit soul. She has a very fertile imagination.
The principles of jazz music have not change in a century; but how has the genre adapted with the onset of modern technologies that have shaped the way people now engage with music?
I started performing in jazz over 50 years ago when I was 19, so as much as the world has changed so has jazz. There is the obvious in terms or the ease of recording now that we have Pro Tools, Garage Band and other apps that allow any one to record in the confines of their living room. It is just as simple to distribute our music because of the digital access.
The challenge to have a customer click and actually purchase your music however is the same as ten years ago. It all depends on the quality of the music. Jazz always changes because it is a reflection of what is going on in the world, in our society at that time. Since I’ve been performing, which is over 50 years, we’ve experienced the election of our first African American President, the launch of the internet, the destruction of the Soviet Union, globalisation of enterprise and so many other things.
As an artist, I reflect some of these developments in my music. More young people are listening to jazz because so many colleges are offering jazz education. Some of our audiences are coming from other genres because they hear music that appeals to their soul. It’s great to see that happening.
You're headed to Australia... what can jazz fans expect from you on this visit?
We are thrilled to be performing in Australia. It’s our first visit as a trio so we are looking forward to performing a range of music - some originals as well as favourite standards (maybe some Monk or Ellington). We will play music from our latest CD, 'Book Of Intuition', and since we love the Brazilian songbook we might do something I wrote with those rhythms.
Outside of jazz, are there other genres which pique your interest?
I’m inspired by interesting ideas no matter, which genre they come from. I listen to a lot of different types of music from classical to pop to R&B and world music. If you look at my iPod you might hear vocalist Anthony Hamilton, Gretchen Parlato, Mulgrew Miller, Miles and Coltrane of course, Richard Bona and a lesser known Japanese artist. It varies and I always like to listen to new music.
Kenny Barron Shows
Wed 31 May - Brisbane International Jazz FestivalThu 1 Jun - The Basement (Sydney)
Sat 3 Jun - Melbourne Jazz Festival
