"The greased lightning of Barron's technique combined with a romantic ebullience has made him one of the glories of jazz piano for a long time…" — Village Voice

Anointed by Jazz Weekly as “the most lyrical piano player of our time,” Kenny Barron takes up residency (April 5-24) in the new Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Manhattan, part of the expanded and reinvigorated Jazz at Lincoln Center complex at Rose Hall. Throughout much of this month, Barron will appear in two trio and one sextet ensembles, giving New Yorkers and area visitors multiple opportunities to enjoy “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” (LA Times).

Philadelphia has spawned many jazz legends, and Barron is no exception. First discovering the family’s old upright piano as a young child, he began playing by ear, turning professional as a teen in Mel Melvin’s band, alongside his late brother, tenor saxophonist Bill Barron. He then joined forces with Philly Jo Jones before moving to New York at 19 to work with Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan and James Moody. Hired by Dizzy Gillespie, Barron developed his affinity for Latin and Caribbean rhythms during his five years with the bop trumpet master. Working with Yusef Lateef in the 70s, Barron developed his improvisational skills and was encouraged to complete his education, earning a BA in music from Empire State College and taking a position on the faculty of Rutgers University, which he held until 2000. His prolific recording career took off in the mid 70s, and he has now appeared as a leader on over 40 recordings. Collaborations in the late 70s with Ron Carter and Buster Willliams, and in the 1980s with Charlie Rouse (“Sphere”) and Stan Getz, culminated in the Grammy nominated People Time in 1992, which was followed by eight more nominations over the next decade.

In the new century, Barron has joined forces with Brazilian musicians on Canta Brasil (Sunnyside), with violinist Regina Carter on Free Fall(Verve), and with his quintet featuring Stefon Harris on 2004's Images (Sunnyside). He has consistently been named Best Pianist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and was a finalist for the Danish Jazzpar International Jazz Prize in 2001. Possessing what the Boston Herald describes as “one of the most fertile imaginations and pleasing sounds in jazz,” Barron cites Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones—their “light touch, very lyrical”—as primary influences, as well as horn players such as Wayne Shorter.

During the three-week festival of Kenny Barron’s music at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the 62-year old pianist kicked off with multiple performances of his “special trio,” featuring percussionist Mino Cinelu and guest artists, bassists John Patitucci and George Mraz, Senegalese percussionist Abdou Mboup, and guitarist Romero Lubambo. During week two (April 12-17), Barron’s Sextet takes the stage, with Kiyoshi Kitagawa (bass), Victor Lewis (drums), Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Vincent Herring (alto sax), and Dayna Stephens (tenor sax). The celebration closes April 19-24 with Barron’s “Classic Trio” of bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Grady Tate.

For full schedule of Jazz at Lincoln Center events and the JALC box office, visit www.jalc.org. For tickets and information for Kenny Barron’s performances at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, call (212) 258-9595.