SOPAC Giant Of Jazz – Kenny Barron

Jazz Buddies,

Last evening (Thanksgiving Saturday), I had the pleasure of attending the annual Giant Of Jazz event at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), located in downtown South Orange, New Jersey.  Founded in 1997 by bassist John Lee, Giants Of Jazz honors exceptional musicians, and presents a Jazz Masters Award to a distinguished artist whose creativity has had a major impact on Jazz performance and/or education. This year, the honoree was the great pianist, educator, mentor, bandleader, composer, and 2010 NEA Jazz Master: Kenny Barron.

If you recall, he was featured just three weeks ago in Washington. D.C., as part of the DC Jazz Fest “Generations” series, performing a beautiful solo piano concert!

As an avid album “reader”, I first noticed the name “Kenny Barron” on George Benson’s brilliant 1974 CTI album, Bad Benson.  Of course, on the day of Thelonious Monk’s passing in February 1982, Kenny Barron, Charlie Rouse, Buster Williams, and Ben Riley recorded their first of many albums as “Sphere”(Monk’s middle name).  Mr. Barron’s 1992 double album of duets with Stan Getz, People Time, has always been a favorite of mine!

A Philadelphia native, Mr. Barron has had a stellar, long-lasting career that includes: (a) recorded numerous albums as leader and sideman for over 50 years, (b) tenured Professor of Music at Rutgers University (1973-2000), (c) mentored many talented students and musicians (e.g., Regina Carter, Ralph Peterson, Jr., Terence Blanchard, David Sanchez, Orrin Evans, etc.), and (d) continues to actively tour the world with his great trio.

The outstanding three-hour program, with welcoming comments from Stephen Beaudoin, SOPAC Executive Director, was emceed and produced by John Lee, and featured 23 outstanding Jazz musicians performing 13 Jazz standards and Jazz classics, including five original compositions by the honoree.

Below is the program, along with the performers:

  • One For K.B. (Jon Regen) – Jon Regen (p), Essiet Essiet b), Vince Ector (d)
  • Seascape (Kenny Barron) – Freddie Hendrix (tr), Mark Gross (as), Jon Regen (p), Essiet Essiet (b), Vince Ector (d)
  • Cook’s Bay (Kenny Barron) – Renee Rosnes (p), David Wong (b), Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts (d)
  • Voyage (Kenny Barron) – Terell Stafford (tr), Erena Terakubo (as), Steve Davis (tb), Renee Rosnes (p), David Wong (b), Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts (d)
  • Sunny Side of the Street (Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields) – Bill Charlap (p) (solo)
  • For Heaven’s Sake (Elise Bretton, Sherman Edwards, Don Meyer) – Jeb Patton (p), Rufus Reid (b), Jonathan Blake (d)
  • Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn) – Roberta Gambarini (vc), Jeb Patton (p), Rufus Reid (b), Jonathan Blake (d)
  • But Not For Me (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)- Paquito D’Rivera (cl), Diego Urcola (tr), Jeb Patton (p), Rufus Reid (b), Jonathan Blake (d)
  • Nardis (Miles Davis) – Cyrus Chestnut (p), Dezron Douglas (b), Lenny White (d)
  • Bemsha Swing (Thelonious Monk) – Freddie Hendrix (tr), Emilio Modeste (ts), Cyrus Chestnut (p), Dezron Douglas (b), Lenny White (d)
  • Bud-Like (Kenny Barron) – Kenny Barron (p), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (b), Johnathan Blake (d)
  • Isfahan (Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn) – Kenny Barron (p), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (b), Johnathan Blake (d)
  • Calypso (Kenny Barron) – Kenny Barron (p), Kiyoshi Kitagawa (b), Johnathan Blake (d)

Following the intermission, a proclamation was presented, along with wonderful comments lauding Mr. Barron’s achievements, excellence, and kindness going way back:

  • Olivia Lewis-Chang, Trustee, South Orange Village Township
  • Fellow musicians and longtime friends Paquito D’Rivera, Rufus Reid (2022 Awardee), and John Lee.

Kenny Barron’s trio closed out the evening’s musical offerings, including two of his originals.  Overall, another wonderful evening of Jazz, in recognition of a true Giant!!!  Congratulations, Mr. Barron!!  Take care!

Kenneth