Kenny Washington

by Chris KelseyOne of the many young hard bop revivalists to have arrived on the scene in the late 70s and early 80s, Kenny Washington has been in particular demand by much older musicians, playing with such legendary veterans as Lee Konitz, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, and Tommy Flanagan. Born in Brooklyn, Washington studied with former Dizzy Gillespie drummer Rudy Collins and attended New Yorks LaGuardia High School for Music & Art. Washington worked with Konitz while still in his teens, recording with the saxophonists nonet in 1977. He worked with Carter from 1978-1979 and Griffin in 1980. A prolific freelancer, Washington has compiled an enormous discography, performing on dozens of sessions by many of jazzs most prominent figures. Washington has a strong interest in jazz history; hes written liner notes for and/or helped prepare classic jazz re-releases by Art Blakey and Count Basie, among others. Hes also taught jazz drumming at the New School in New York City, and worked as an announcer at the New Jersey jazz radio station WBGO.