Kenny Blake

Jazz saxophonist and composer Kenny Blake earned critical acclaim and reached the top of the jazz charts with his four releases on Heads Up Records. His “soul hybrid” sound combines traditional jazz with modern rhythm and blues. Kenny Blake's R&B-tinged solos delight fans around the world. Kenny has performed as a solo artist and sideman throughout the United States, Europe, and South Africa. In the mid-80s, Blake toured with the MCA pop-jazz recording artists Cabo Frio and performed his compositions on their 1987 self-titled release. With airplay on smooth jazz and quiet storm radio stations, Blake’s 1991 solo release “Interior Design” climbed to number 15 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. He again reached the jazz charts at number 20 with the “Rumor Has It” album in 1992. Blake has released five solo CDs. Along with Joe McBride and Gerald Veasley, Blake performed as a Heads Up Super Band member and appeared on their 1998 release. As a session man, Blake has recorded with Pieces of a Dream, Joe McBride, Gerald Veasley, Darryl Alexander, Tommy Price, Bob Thompson, Chizmo Charles, Rodney McCoy, Donny Iris, Billy Price, Pure Gold, John Harrison III, and others. He has appeared at many jazz festivals, including the Berks Jazz Festival, the Jazz on the Rocks festival in Cape Town, South Africa, the 2006 Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and festivals in Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rehobeth Beach, Oregon, and Cape May. Kenny works with various top musicians and performs in duos, trios, and quartets.