Kenneth David “Kenny” Kirkland (September 28, 1955 in Newport, New York – November 12, 1998 in New York City, New York) was an American pianist/keyboardist. Considered by many to be one of the most important and influential pianists of his generation, he is most often associated with Sting, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett.
Background
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1955, Kenneth David Kirkland was only six when he first sat down at a piano keyboard. After years of Catholic schooling, Kirkland enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied classical piano performance, classical theory and composition. His first professional work came with Polish fusion violinist Michal Urbaniak, touring throughout Europe with his group in 1977 and recording the albums Urbaniak and Daybreak. Coincidentally, Kirkland’s next high-profile gig was with another Eastern European jazz émigré, Miroslav Vitous. Kirkland is featured on Vitous’ ECM recordings First Meeting and Miroslav Vitous Group.
In his more than twenty-year career, Kirkland performed or recorded with such artists as Don Alias, Carla Bley, Terence Blanchard, Michael Brecker, Stanley Clarke, Urszula Dudziak, Kevin Eubanks, Charles Fambrough, Chico Freeman, Kenny Garrett, Dizzy Gillespie, Elvin Jones, Stanley Jordan, Rodney Jones, Arturo Sandoval, John Scofield, Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Mark Whitfield. Throughout his career, Kirkland also offered his talents to a variety of non-jazz artists, from soul singers Ben E. King and Angela Bofill, to Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour, to classic-rockers Stephen Stills and David Crosby.
New Directions
In the early 1980s, Kirkland was on tour in Japan with trumpeter Terumasa Hino, when he was said to have met Wynton Marsalis, which began their long association. On Marsalis’ self-titled debut album, Kirkland shared the piano duties with one of his musical influences, Herbie Hancock, but was the sole pianist on Marsalis’ subsequent releases Think Of One, Hothouse Flowers and Black Codes (From the Underground). After his association with Wynton Marsalis, Kirkland joined Branford Marsalis’ band. He is featured on the albums Royal Garden Blues, Renaissance, Random Abstract, Crazy People Music, I Heard You Twice The First Time and the eponymously-titled album from Marsalis’ funk band Buckshot Lefonque. When Branford Marsalis assumed the high-visibility role of bandleader for NBC TV's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Kirkland became the band's pianist. But his time on the Los Angeles-based television show would be short-lived, and he returned to the East coast and session work.
As opposed to many piano “purists,” Kirkland was never shy of electric keyboards and synthesizers.
He also ran contrary to jazz orthodoxy when he left Wynton Marsalis’ acoustic traditional jazz combo to join Branford Marsalis accompanying ex-Police pop star Sting. Kirkland appears on Sting albums The Dream of the Blue Turtles, Bring On the Night (and in Michael Apted’s 1985 documentary film by the same name), ...Nothing Like the Sun, The Soul Cages and Mercury Falling.
Solo
In 1991, he released his debut as a leader, Kenny Kirkland, on GRP Records. An album on Sunnyside Records, Thunder And Rainbows/J.F.K., is also credited to him.
Death
Leading up to and on June 1-3, 1998, Kirkland worked diligently with long-time associate Jeff "Tain" Watts on the drummer's debut recording Citizen Tain. According to producer Delfeayo Marsalis, "He was clearly not in good shape." When asked about going to the doctor, Kirkland responded, "After the session. If I go now, they'll make me check into a hospital." On June 4, 1998 doctors told Kirkland he had a congestive heart condition that required an operation. However, due to abuse and a lack of physical exercise for many years, his chances of survival were 50/50 or less. Fearful of going under the blade, Kirkland accepted his fate and was soon on the road with Branford Marsalis again. On November 7, 1998 Kirkland attended Marsalis' wedding in New Rochelle, NY. Though he appeared in good spirits (or perhaps resolute), he was found deceased in his Queens apartment on Friday, November 13, 1998. Official doctor's report listed his death due to congestive heart failure. He is survived by his mother, a brother and two sisters.
Discography
As Leader
- 1991 Kenny Kirkland
- 1993 Mr. J.C.
With Wynton Marsalis
With Branford Marsalis
- 1983 Scenes in the City
- 1985 Royal Garden Blues
- 1986 Renaissance
- 1987 Random Abstract
- 1990 Crazy People Music
- 1992 I Heard You Twice the First Time
- 1999 Requiem
With Delfeayo Marsalis
- 1992 "Pontius Pilate's Decision"
With Jeff “Tain” Watts
With Robert Hurst
With Kenny Garrett
1992 "Black Hope"
With Elvin Jones
With Lew Soloff
With Sting
With Carla Bley
External links
