Prior
to relocating to New York in 1980 and making his debut album as a leader (1984’s
«Introducing Kenny Garret»), the Detroit-born Kenny Garrett had gained experience
playing with his hometown musicians Marcus Belgrave and Bill Wiggins, and performing with
Mercer Ellington’s orchestra. Once in New York, Garrett established himself in
drummer Dannie Richmond’s quintet, in Mel Lewis’ orchestra and in Miles
Davis’ last touring band. The late-1980s stint with Miles confirmed Garrett’s
reputation as a vibrant and resourceful soloist, colourist and group player. In addition
to Miles Davis, Kenny Garrett has contributed his sinewy alto to the music of numerous
jazz masters: Donald Byrd, Wallace Roney, Art Blakey, Cindy Blackman, Cedar Walton,
Mulgrew Miller, Woody Shaw (and many, many more). In the 1990s Garrett’s renown as an
improviser and composer has been cemented by the string of highly acclaimed solo
recordings, from «Black Hope» to «Simply Said». In 1996, together with Pat Metheny,
Kenny Garrett made «Pursuance: The Music Of John Coltrane». The same year he was elected
the Alto Saxophonist Of The Year in the DowBeat Readers’ Poll, and singled out as the
Hot Jazz Artist by the Rolling Stone magazine. Garrett’s instrumental prowess and
emotional grasp have made a plenty of connoisseurs believe that he is jazz’s finest
improviser on alto.
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