The Jazz Cruise 2016
Kenny Barron Trio
The Jazz Cruise is thrilled to welcome revered pianist Kenny Barron to its 2016 lineup. With more than 40 recordings to his name, Kenny has earned nine Grammy® nominations; consistently ranks at the top of jazz critic and reader polls in Downbeat, Jazz Times and JAJZZIZ magazines; and is a six-time recipient of Best Pianist by the Jazz Journalists Association. In 2010, he was recognized by The National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master. The Philadelphia native got his start at the piano at age 12 and played professionally as a teen before moving to New York City at 19. Hired by Dizzy Gillespie before the legend even heard him play, Kenny developed a love of Latin and Caribbean rhythms and later found himself collaborating with Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Buddy Rich and Stan Getz, among other notables. In the 80s, Kenny founded the quartet, Sphere, to focus on the music of Thelonious Monk, another master of improvisation. He served on the staff of Rutgers University between 1973 and 2000 and currently teaches at The Julliard School.
Emmet Cohen Trio
One of the youngest performers on The Jazz Cruise ’16, pianist Emmet Cohen has taken the New York jazz scene by storm. Starting with Suzuki lessons at age 3, Emmet now, at 24, works regularly with Kurt Elling, Herlin Riley, Ali Jackson, Brian Lynch, Billy Hart and Jimmy Heath. A finalist in both the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and the 2015 American Pianists Association’s Fellowship, Emmet holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Miami (where he studied under the auspices of The Jazz Cruise Musical Director Shelly Berg) and a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. His debut album, “In the Element” received critical acclaim
at the national and international level, and he recently released a co-led project with trumpeter Brian Lynch that features Boris Koslov on bass and the legendary Billy Hart on drums.
Freddy Cole
Guests of The Jazz Cruise 2016 will be transported to bygone days when pianist and singer Freddy Cole takes to our stage. The younger sibling of the legendary Nat King Cole, Freddy captivates an audience with a baritone that sings the heart out of bebop and ballads alike. With nearly thirty albums to his name since making his vinyl debut in 1952, he’s played piano since age 6. Freddy grew up in Chicago and moved to New York in 1951 to study at the Julliard School of Music. He later obtained a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Freddy developed his vast repertoire of songs – from classic covers to original compositions – in Manhattan bistros and has supplemented his live performances with television and radio commercial jingle work. His 2010 album, “Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B,” was nominated for a Grammy® in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album. As leader of an eponymous quartet, he regularly tours the United States, Europe, Far East and South America.
Paquito d’Rivera
Fourteen-time Grammy® winner Paquito d’Rivera brings an authentic Latin flavor to The Jazz Cruise ‘16. The Cuban-born multi-instrumentalist and composer performed at age 10 with the National Theater Orchestra; studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music; and became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony at just 17. Master of both the clarinet and saxophone, Paquito also was a founding member and co-director of Irakere, an innovative musical ensemble that toured extensively throughout America and Europe and won several Grammy® nominations and a Grammy®. Additionally, the musician helped Dizzy Gillespie found the United Nation Orchestra to showcase the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz. Recipient of the NEA Jazz Masters Award in 2005 and the National Medal of the Arts in 2005, Paquito has released more than 30 solo jazz, Bebop and