Quartet No. 1 by Mike Kennedy

Mike's formal education in jazz guitar was completed at the University of the Arts, College of Performing Arts, in Philadelphia where he received both his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Guitar and his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies. With the ethic that a firm musical foundation expands his ability to absorb, contemplate and create, Mike studied with, among others, Jimmy Bruno, Larry McKenna, Bob DiNardo, Joe Federico, and Allan Slutsky.

Mike has been teaching guitar for over 17 years. He currently teaches jazz guitar, performance, composition, and ensembles, and has recently began teaching a class on computer based programs designed for music. Mike also writes compositions and plays, both locally in Philadelphia, PA and in the surrounding tri-state region. Over the past few years, Mike has had the opportunity to perform with such renowned Philadelphia jazz musicians as Larry McKenna and John Swana and has also has performed with commercially known international pop artists such as Lou Rawls, Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters, and Elton John. Throughout his education and career, Mike has performed and created compositions in various musical genres from jazz to rock and R&B, but over the past decade, he has focused almost exclusively on jazz. Mike identified with the rhythmic complexity of jazz music, the wit and perception of improvisation and the dichotomy between the spontaneity of the individual and the communication within a group.

With a sound based in the bebop tradition, yet with a definite modern presence, Mike collected a series of ten tunes for his first self-produced jazz CD, Quartet No. 1, which was released in late 2002. The album received exceptional reviews that praise both the compositions and the musicians. The CD has had airplay in the Philadelphia area, as well as overseas.

Some of the reviews that "Quartet No. 1" has received include the following:

"Kennedy's sense of time, his mature use of space, accurate intonation, and the way his playing breathes is exemplary...."

-Winthrop Bedord, Jazz Improv Magazine, Vol. 4, No. 3

"[T]unes are boppish and swing hard...captures the attention."

-Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer

"[A]n innovative jazz guitarist/composer exploring new trails in Jazz..."

-True Van Deusen, Philadelphia Metro and All About Jazz

"Mike Kennedy, guitarist and composer, has put together an exceptionally fine collection of original music...The 10 songs include Who Told You That, Teahouse, Something For You, the intricate For Now (10:05 minutes playing time), Some Blues, Say It, among others. Any Other Day is another nice work, one in which the solo work is superb, and that it the key to all these performances---the solo work is superb as well as the group interaction...QUARTET NO. 1 is a fine musical outing for jazz listeners...Barrage was one of my favorites in this CD among many because every instrument produced the sound of entertaining jazz. Simply put, this is an outstanding jazz CD, one to savor and enjoy often."

-Lee Prosser, JazzReview.com (to see the entire review, click here)

"Guitarist and composer Mike Kennedy has brought a 60's combo feeling to Quartet No. 1...For my taste, usually straight ahead jazz is not my cup of tea, but Kennedy's release kept me interested through the entire CD...A major reason why this collection works is because of the strong writing of Mike Kennedy. Kennedy wrote all ten tracks and even though the arrangements rival some of the best jazz tracks of the 60's, there is a contemporary feel to the material that brings about today's emotions...Kennedy has brought traditional jazz into the 21st Century with today's sensitivity and sensitivity and classic taste."

-Norm Breest, JazzReview.com (to see the entire review, click here)

"Local musician, guitarist Mike Kennedy, and his group are doing some fascinating new explorations within his own compositions...very lovely, bright and wonderful things here...Great, just marvelous...This group really hangs together beautifully and I'm sure we're going to hear a great deal more from them. They're terrific...There are a number of things on [Quartet No. 1] that I think you will find quite fascinating...Tremendous album. I recommend it highly."

-WRTI, 90.1FM, Dr. Jack Buerkle, Jazz Encounters, July 14, 2002

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