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Jazz Pianist and Philadelphia Native Kenny Barron Kicks Off the Annenberg Center's Jazz Series

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Philadelphia, PA: Nine-time Grammy-nominated hometown jazz legend Kenny Barron will kick off the 12/13 jazz series at the Annenberg Center. An inductee in the Jazz Hall of Fame, Barron’s piano skills have led him to be called “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” by the Los Angeles Times. Barron will be joined by Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and another Philadelphia native, Johnathan Blake, on drums. This performance will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 8 PM. Tickets are $20-$55 (prices are subject to change). For tickets or for more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office.

“The most lyrical pianist of our time” (Jazz Weekly), Philadelphia native Kenny Barron has been on the jazz scene for over 50 wildly successful years. Barron’s recordings have earned him nine Grammy nominations beginning in 1992 with People Time, an outstanding duet with Stan Getz, followed by the Brazilian influenced Sambao and most recently for Freefall in 2002. Other Grammy nominations include Spirit Song, Night and the City (a duet recording with Charlie Haden) and Wanton Spirit, a trio recording with Roy Haynes and Haden.

Barron consistently wins the jazz critics and readers polls in Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazziz magazines. In 2005, he was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame and won a MAC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a six-time recipient of Best Pianist by the Jazz Journalists Association and was a finalist in the prestigious 2001 Jazz Par International Jazz Award.

Barron will be joined by Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and another Philadelphia native, Johnathan Blake, on drums.

Bassist and composer Kiyoshi Kitagawa has worked with many of the leading names in jazz including Tommy Flanagan, the Jimmy Heath Quartet, the Andy Bey Quartet and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. As a leader, Kitagawa has released five albums in Japan including Ancestry, Prayer, Live at Tsutenka and Live in Japan, all featuring Kenny Barron and Brian Blade. His latest release I’m Still Here features Danny Grissett and Brian Blade.

Grammy-nominated drummer and composer, Johnathan Blake has been working steadily in the contemporary jazz scene for the past ten years. A Philadelphia native and George Washington High School graduate, Blake is the son of world-renowned jazz violinist, John Blake, Jr. He played with Settlement Music School under the direction of Robert Landham. Blake has been a first-call drummer for notable jazz musicians such as Tom Harrell, David Sanchez, Russell Malone, Kenny Barron, Randy Brecker and Oliver Lake. He is currently a member of the Tom Harrell Quintet, Russell Malone Quartet and Kenny Barron Trio. He also performs regularly with Donny McCaslin, Jaleel Shaw, Avishai Cohen and Omer Avital.

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