Kenny Garrett © Andrea Canter

Kenny Garrett grew up surrounded by jazz, gospel, R & B, and classical music in his native Detroit. His father, who played tenor sax, introduced young Kenny to jazz and the saxophone. Like many young Detroit jazzhounds in the 70s, Garrett was mentored by Marcus Belgrave. In 1978, his plan to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston took a back seat when Garrett had the opportunity to tour with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (under Mercer Ellington’s direction). Moving to New York 3 years later, Garrett played in the Ellington band’s Sophisticated Ladies; he was exposed to the music of Thad Jones as a member of the Mel Lewis Orchestra and to the music of Mingus as a member of the Dannie Richmond Quintet. His first recording (Introducing Kenny Garrett, Criss Cross) was released in 1984, and soon he was performing with Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw. In 1986, still with the Jazz Messengers, he also joined Miles Davis’ last touring band, playing and recording for five years. Notes Garrett of this association, “Miles’ genius was getting the best out musicians without controlling them—letting them be free, but also getting what he wanted from them.” As one of the last great musicians to work his way up the ranks in the bands of other great musicians, Garrett attributes much of his success to his early work in those great bands, but cites John Coltrane as having the most influence on his artistry.