Anointed by Jazz Weekly as “the most lyrical piano player of our time,” Kenny Barron and his stellar trio (featuring bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Ben Riley) will hold down the stage at the Jazz Bakery, December 6-11. LA jazz fans (and anyone within earshot) should be sure to take this opportunity 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, with violinist Regina Carter (Free Fall), and with vibes master Stefon Harris on his latest release, Images. 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.

Both bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and Drummer Ben Riley are long-time associates of Kenny Barron. Kitagawa appears on the recently release Images, and has also worked with Randy Sandke, Bobby Watson, Andy Bey, and Makoto Ozone in addition to his own quartet. Riley, who previously worked with Barron in the ensemble, Sphere, is a long-time compatriot of many of the jazz legends of the past fifty years, including Thelonious Monk, Alice Coltrane, Ahmad Jamal, Eddie Lockjaw Davis and more. Riley’s latest project, with Don Strickler, is a piano-less group, the Monk Legacy Septet.

Bringing together three such accomplished performers, the Kenny Barron Trio is a must-see, must-hear ensemble, performing this week at the premiere jazz venue of southern California.

Showtimes 8 and 9:30 pm. The Jazz Bakery—LA’s only seven-days-per-week, nonprofit jazz venue-- is located at 3233 Helms Av, Los Angeles; www.jazzbakery.com