Raymond Huston Kennedy Jr. (January 6, 1957 – May 28, 2015) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He was a member of John Pizzarelli's trio for more than a decade and recorded more than 10 albums under his own name.
Life and career Kennedy was born and grew up in Maplewood, Missouri, in 1957."Ray Kennedy". npr. Retrieved July 5, 2015. His father was a bandleader, trumpeter and vocalist in the 1930s and 1940s in St. Louis. His mother worked in the Maplewood music store that his parents owned. Kennedy had two siblings: Tom, who became a bassist; and Wanda, who also became a musician. With his brother, he formed The Ray Kennedy Trio at the age of 13, and they played together, including with their sister as vocalist, for five years. According to a biographer of Ruby Braff, Ray and his brother made a recording together in 1972.Hustad, Thomas P. (2012) Born to Play: The Ruby Braff Discography and Directory of Performances. Scarecrow. p. 604. .
Kennedy moved to New York City in his early twenties. He was pianist and arranger for the John Pizzarelli Trio for almost 13 years,"Pianist Ray Kennedy Dies at 58". (May 31, 2015) JazzTimes. after joining in 1993. With the John Pizzarelli Trio, Kennedy played with the New York Pops and Boston Pops orchestras, played for Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and toured internationally. Kennedy first recorded with Pizzarelli in 1994, after making two recordings for Randy Sandke. In 1997 he was part of the cast for the musical Dream.Evans, Greg (April 13, 1997) "Review: 'Dream'". Variety. In 2003 he recorded a piano duo album with Dick Hyman.Dryden, Ken "Dick Hyman – What Is There to Say?". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
Around 2005, Kennedy, according to John Pizzarelli, "began expressing a desire to get off the road and spend more time with his family". Kennedy developed multiple sclerosis symptoms in 2006. His career had ended by 2013, and he was living in a nursing home. Kennedy died at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, on May 28, 2015.Sorkin, Michael D. (June 3, 2015) "Ray Kennedy, Renowned Jazz Pianist from St. Louis, Dies at 58 from MS". stltoday.com He was survived by his wife, Eve Langner, and two daughters, Lauren and Brielle.
Playing style According to Michael Sorkin of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Kennedy was known for his finger technique and his ability to swing and improvise versions of well-known jazz works."
Discography An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/NotesI'm Beginning to See the LightVictoriaWith Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Martin Pizzarelli, Ray Brown (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)2000*The Sound of St. LouisVictoria2003What Is There to Say?VictoriaCo-led with Dick Hyman; duo, with Hyman (piano)2005*The Swing KingsVictoriaCo-led with Bucky Pizzarelli; with Pizzarelli (guitar), Ken Peplowski (clarinet), Chuck Redd (vibraphone), Martin Pizzarelli (bass), Tony Tedesco (drums)2005Mozart in JazzCamerataTrio, with Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums)2006Plays the Music of Arthur SchwartzArborsQuartet, with Joe Cohn (guitar), Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums)2006Bach in JazzCamerataTrio, with Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums)2007Soft WindsCamerataTrio, with Tom Kennedy (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)2007Baroque in JazzCamerataTrio, with Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums)2008Classic in JazzCamerataTrio, with Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums)2008Beethoven in JazzCamerataTrio, with Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums)2009癒しジャズCameratawith Tom Kennedy (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums), Sumiko Fukatsu (flute), Howard Alden (guitar)
As sideman Year recordedLeaderTitleLabelc. 1977The Kenny Rice and Richard Martin Quartet Featuring Nat AdderleyValley Recorder1990Master PlanGRP1990StampedeJazzology1993I Hear MusicConcord Jazz1993Naturally1994*New Standards1994Dear Mr. ColeJive1995After HoursJive1995–98Harry Allen Meets the John Pizzarelli TrioRCA1996*Let's Share Christmas1997* and John PizzarelliPassion Guitars1997Our Love Is Here to Stay1998*Meets the Beatles1999*P.S. Mr. Cole1999Kisses in the RainTelarc2000Let There Be LoveTelarc2002Relaxing at the PenthouseVictoria2002C'est Magnifique!Arbors2003*Live at BirdlandTelarc2003*A Good DayPS Classics2003Bossa NovaTelarc2003Cookin' the BooksArbors2004*Triple PlayVictoria2004Knowing YouTelarc2007Down for the Count
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