He’s been called ‘one of the top jazz pianists in the world? and soon he’ll be performing in Oxford.
Kenny Barron will bring his artistry and talent to the stage of the Oxford High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Feb. 10 beginning at 7 p.m.
‘It’s a free concert,? said John Hill, director of the OHS jazz band. ‘Come on out and hear some of the best jazz you’ll ever hear.?
Barron has enjoyed a long and successful career that’s included playing with the legendary Dizzy Gillespie for five years in the 1960s and earning nine Grammy nominations for his own recordings beginning in 1992.
In 2005, he was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame and won a MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Lifetime Achievement Award. Six times he was named Best Pianist by the Jazz Journalists Association and he was a finalist for the prestigious 2001 Jazz Par International Jazz Award.
Hill had an opportunity to hear Barron play a number of years ago at the Detroit Jazz Festival.
‘I just remember walking out of there and being in awe of his musicianship, how lyrical he is,? he said. ‘It’s breathtaking how astoundingly musical he is.?
‘It was just a very, very memorable performance and I know he’s going to create that here (in) Oxford for us,? Hill added.
Barron is coming to Oxford as part of the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union Jazz Artist in Residence Program, which is supported by a $1 million endowment. While in residence, Barron will instruct, perform and tour with MSU Jazz Octets over a seven-day period (Feb. 8-14) packed with workshops and concerts.
How did Oxford end up on the tour?
‘The gentleman that puts the tours together is an old college buddy of mine and we’ve played jazz together for over 25 years,? Hill said.
That relationship aside, Hill believes Oxford’s inclusion is also the result of the district having ‘a thriving fine arts program? and ‘a nice performance facility? along with ‘quality teachers.?
The 45-member OHS Jazz Band will open the Feb. 10 concert by performing at least three arrangements.
‘Right now, we’re working on a piece for the concert and it was done originally for the Miles Davis? album ‘Birth of the Cool? (released in 1957),? Hill said. ‘It’s just a really nice arrangement. It’s very technically demanding. We’re going to be working real hard to get that piece together . . . I want to make sure that everything is super solid.?
‘What I’m hoping happens is that we can get Kenny Barron to sit in on one of the songs with the Oxford band,? he added.
Following Oxford, two MSU Jazz Octets will take the stage to perform with Barron, who will be seated behind one of Oxford’s grand pianos.
‘You go to 100 high schools and you’ll never find a grand piano as nice as the one we have here,? Hill said. ‘And I can’t wait to hear Kenny Barron play it.?
Just prior to the concert, members of the MSU Jazz Octets will be working in clinics with OHS jazz students from 3-5 p.m.
To Hill, this concert is not only going to be a real treat for jazz fans, it’s a unique opportunity for ‘people that really don’t get a chance to hear live music.?
‘It’s a completely different experience than just passively listening to it on your radio,? he said. ‘I highly encourage people to check it out. Even if they’re not into jazz, just hearing live music is great. It’s important for our culture and it’s important for our community.?