photo by Dani Case
About
Grammy Award winning pianist, composer and singer/songwriter Kevin Hays has often defied labels. His immediately recognizable sound alongside a deeply expressive, melodic sensibility and keen rhythmic sense, continues to delight audiences worldwide.
From his first recordings on Blue Note Records it was clear to listeners, elder musicians, and critics alike that a musician had arrived on the scene who was (as guitar legend John Scofield put it) “all encompassing, and phenomenally so!”
Early years in NY would find Kevin being tapped to play with many of his heroes including jazz giants Sonny Rollins, Roy Haynes, and Joe Henderson along with many of his gifted contemporaries such as Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Subsequent collaborations with Brad Mehldau, Lionel Loueke, Steve Gadd, and numerous others would highlight his deep roots in the jazz tradition without being bound by any fixed definitions of that tradition.
Whether at The Village Vanguard with his trio or Carnegie/Zankel Hall with fellow pianist Mehldau he will hold a rapt audience. One night he can be heard at the most intimate listening rooms in New York’s West Village and the next, an arena accompanying singer/songwriter legend James Taylor.
A new live album ‘Kevin Hays Trio at the Village Vanguard’ featuring bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Brian Blade is scheduled for release Spring of 2027.