Kevin Hays

Pianist/Composer Kevin Hays has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and is featured on dozens of recordings with a variety of leading Jazz artists. Included in his leader discography are 3 critically acclaimed recordings for Blue Note Records. His 'Seventh Sense' was praised by The New York Times and recognized as one of the "Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year" by Musician Magazine.

Kevin has performed and recorded with some of the most prominent and influential musicians in Jazz. These include Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Benny Golson, Roy Haynes, Chris Potter, Al Foster, Joe Henderson, Buster Williams, Art Farmer and Joshua Redman.

Born May 1st of 1968 in New York City and raised in Connecticut, he began studying piano at the age of 6 and was playing professionally by 15. At 17 he began playing with baritone saxophone great Nick Brignola. After spending a year at The Manhattan School of Music, he began traveling in the U.S., Japan, and Europe with various bands including The Harper Brothers, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson and Eddie Gomez. In 1995 Sonny Rollins invited him to join his group; a year and a half later he began touring with guitarist John Scofield in his celebrated "Quiet" band.

Today, Kevin continues to perform worldwide in Solo concerts, with his Trio which includes bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart, and with The Sangha Quartet which features Seamus Blake, FLY, and Bill Stewart. He also conducts Master Classes in the U.S. and overseas.

Kevin's recent recording activity includes a new Solo Piano CD Open Range on the ACT label; the launching of PinonDisk Records, his own label on which he has released his latest Trio CD What Survives; a new trio project with the groundbreaking web-based company, and two releases under the JazzEyes label: For Heaven's Sake (2006) and the newest and just released You've Got a Friend.

Hyeonseon Baek: Longing

by Troy Dostert
July 9, 2024

Any vocalist who can call upon top-shelf talent in support of their debut recording is worth hearing. Hyeonseon Baek is no exception. The South Korean singer, who has studied at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and at the New England Conservatory, has already forged the connections that should allow him to distinguish himself in the jazz world. Aided by pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Jochen Rueckert, along with a few guest tracks from tenor saxophonist ...

Album Review

Meg Okura & Kevin Hays: Lingering

Read "Lingering" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
May 14, 2024

Jazz albums that feature violin-piano duets are uncommon. With two instruments, the musicians need to synchronise at a deep level and if successful, they can elevate their performance and the listening experience from good to great. To achieve this they need to be receptive to every move the other makes. Each musician needs to be adept at quickly adopting a harmony or creating a counter melody. Those traits are fully exposed here, as no overdubs, filters or effects were used ...

Play This!

Kevin Hays & Lionel Loueke: Feuilles-O

by Geno Thackara
March 10, 2023

One pianist with a naturally soulful touch (and a fairly rich crooning voice to boot), one guitarist with innate Afro-rhythms running through everything he does; they still make a myriad of tones for just two guys with no special effects. 2019's Hope (Edition Records) had no shortage of highlights, but their take on this sweet/sad Haitian traditional song hits an emotional peak even higher than most. ...

Album Review

Justin Page: Lost and Found

Read "Lost and Found" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
March 30, 2021

All too often in life, people find themselves reminiscing about their past accomplishments, only wishing they could go back in time to pick up where they left off. Unfortunately, many never get the opportunity to try again. New York-based drummer Justin Page, however, is an exception. The album, Lost And Found, is an excellent comeback for this talented artist. Page was something of a child prodigy who became active in the jazz scene from an early age. He ...

Album Review

Kevin Hays, Lionel Loueke: Hope

Read "Hope" reviewed by Emmanuel Di Tommaso

by Emmanuel Di Tommaso
June 9, 2020

Kevin Hays e Lionel Loueke sono ormai da diversi anni considerati due fra i più affermati musicisti della loro generazione, avendo alle spalle numerosi dischi e concerti in collaborazione con artisti del calibro di Brad Mehldau, David Holland, Chris Potter, Bill Stewart, Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter e Charlie Haden, solo per nominarne alcuni fra i più importanti. Pur provenendo da culture e percorsi musicali totalmente differenti (il melting pot della scena jazz newyorchese per ...

Album Review

Kevin Hays, Chiara Izzi: Across the Sea

Read "Across the Sea" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
September 6, 2019

A sei anni dal sorprendente debutto discografico (Motifs, Dot Time 2013) la giovane cantante molisana si presenta con una produzione d'alto livello internazionale, condivisa col pianista Kevin Hays e infarcita d'ospiti prestigiosi. Seguendo il consiglio di Quincy Jones, Chiara Izzi vive da cinque anni a New York, s'è esibita nei migliori locali e ha saputo imporsi in quel clima competitivo, impressionando pubblico e critica. Elogiando quel primo lavoro su questo magazine notavamo margini di maturazione nell'esecuzione delle ...

Album Review

Kevin Hays & Lionel Loueke: Hope

by Geno Thackara
August 23, 2019

It would have been easy to leave well enough alone. Kevin Hays and Lionel Loueke made a delightful recording the first time around—a most happy clash of hemispheres blending urban jazz and world-folk balladry, crossing upbeat piano with lively scat-singing, frisky African rhythm play and much more. Nonetheless, a slot with Edition Records offered them a chance to revisit the work and give it a wider release than its initial 2017 vinyl pressing on the Newvelle Records subscription label. Let's ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source: Michael Ricci
May 1, 2016

All About Jazz is celebrating Kevin Hays' birthday today!

Pianist/Composer Kevin Hays has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and is featured on dozens of recordings with a variety of leading Jazz artists. Included in his leader discography are 3 critically acclaimed recordings for Blue Note Records. His \'Seventh Sense\' was praised by The New York Times and recognized as one of the “Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year" by Musician Magazine... Read more.

Place our Musician of the ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source: Michael Ricci
May 1, 2015

All About Jazz is celebrating Kevin Hays' birthday today! Pianist/Composer Kevin Hays has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and is featured on dozens of recordings with a variety of leading Jazz artists. Included in his leader discography are 3 critically acclaimed recordings for Blue Note Records. His \'Seventh Sense\' was praised by The New York Times and recognized as one of the “Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year" by Musician Magazine... Read more. Place our Musician of the ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source: Michael Ricci
May 1, 2014

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source: Michael Ricci
May 1, 2013

All About Jazz is celebrating Kevin Hays' birthday today!

Pianist/Composer Kevin Hays has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and is featured on dozens of recordings with a variety of leading Jazz artists. Included in his leader discography are 3 critically acclaimed recordings for Blue Note Records. His \'Seventh Sense\' was praised by The New York Times and recognized as one of the “Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year" by Musician Magazine... Read more.

Place our Musician of the ...
read more

Education

Kevin Hays NYC Workshop on Sunday, August 19th

Source: Damian Sim
August 8, 2012

Master pianist Kevin Hays will be conducting another in a series of workshops for pianists (and other instrumentalists interested in developing their harmony, line playing, improvisation, piano skills, etc.) on Sunday August 19th at the Church St School for Music & Art, NYC from 1-4:00pm. These are small, intimate classes (ten person max) with an opportunity to play, ask questions, problem solve at the piano and discuss whatever issues students wish to bring forward. Topics will include: Harmonic Development on ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source: Michael Ricci
May 1, 2012

All About Jazz is celebrating Kevin Hays' birthday today!

Pianist/Composer Kevin Hays has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and is featured on dozens of recordings with a variety of leading Jazz artists. Included in his leader discography are 3 critically acclaimed recordings for Blue Note Records. His \'Seventh Sense\' was praised by The New York Times and recognized as one of the “Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year" by Musician Magazine... Read more.

Place our Musician of the ...
read more

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source:
May 1, 2011

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Kevin Hays

Source: Michael Ricci
May 1, 2010

All About Jazz is celebrating Kevin Hays' birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Kevin Hays

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Follow Kevin Hays

Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box ...
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Contest

Announcing the Winners of the Jazz Eyes "Kevin Hays - You've Got a Friend" Contest

Source: All About Jazz
July 13, 2009

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Recording

The Kevin Hays Trio Releases Instrumental Jazz Covers on You’Ve Got a Friend

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
June 23, 2009

New York, NY -- You’ve Got A Friend is Kevin Hays’ first release for 2009. The album was released on the Jazz Eyes label May 1st. An all instrumental foray into the realm of cover tunes, the CD features pop and jazz classics interpreted by the trio in their own special way.

The title track, a Carole King penned composition made famous by James Taylor, appropriately kicks off the album. From that point forward a who’s who of music makes ...
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"...a jolt of joy!" —The New York Times

"He's all-encompassing; phenomenally so!" —John Scofield

"...Exquisite at every turn." —Musician Magazine

"I've never met a musician who is as perfect in their approach to improvisation. I've learned a lot working with him.” —Nicholas Payton

"Stellar! Kevin Hays is a true original. Everything he plays has a deep intelligence and swing." —Brad Mehldau