Kenny Barron (piano), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (double bass), Johnathan Blake (drums)
Kenny Barron, one of the most influential pianists in Jazz history. Born in Philadelphia in 1943, he has decided to spend his 80th birthday on stage, treating us to a rundown of his long and magnificent career and accompanied by the Basque Youth Orchestra (EGO).
Considered by many as the best Jazz pianist still performing today, Kenny Barron has the characteristic of having exquisite taste when it comes to selecting his repertoire and the elegance of its execution. Despite Barron, with his refined, articulate and imaginative style, being one of the most technically accomplished Jazz pianists, he has no need for technical pomp to convince the spectator; his tremendous sensitivity is enough. He is the staunchest defender of the be-bop piano tradition, in line with historic figures such as Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan, although Barron continues to venture into new creative territories with the same fresh approach as he had in the early days of his extensive career.
In 1963 Barron joined Dizzy Gillespie’s band, going on to work with countless musicians, such as Stan Getz, Yusef Lateef and Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Owens, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Buddy Rich, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Buster Williams, Ben Riley, Charlie Rouse, David Sánchez,…
Barron came to the Jazzaldia for the first time in 1987 and, in 2000, the Festival presented him with its Donostiako Jazzaldia Award. Throughout the years he has entertained us with unforgettable concerts which, no matter what their format, have always shone with their own light.
At this edition of the Jazzaldia, the brilliant pianist and composer will celebrate his 80th anniversary playing the most important numbers in his career, and he will do it, no more and no less, accompanied by the Basque Youth Orchestra (EGO), conducted by Rubén Gimeno and on a stage with the finest acoustics, the Kursaal Auditorium.
