Kenny Washington & the Josh Nelson Trio at Feinstein's At Vitello's

Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences worldwide with his soulful interpretations, his seemingly limitless range, and rapid-fire scatting. The New Orleans native is described by the San Francisco Chronicle as, “The superman of the Bay area Jazz scene, a vocalist with an exuberantly supple tenor that glides effortlessly into the stratosphere.” Ravi Coltrane declared Kenny Washington his favorite male vocalist and Mark Murphy told Jazz Times that Washington was the only contemporary make vocalist carrying on the tradition, stating, “Kenny’s got the gift.”



Describing the first time he heard Washington, vibraphonist Joe Locke said, “He sang “My Ship,” by Kurt Weill. It was a revelation. I was deeply affected by what I heard and vowed to find a way to collaborate.” In 2010, Locke featured Washington on For The Love of You (E1 Records, 2010) by the Joe Locke Group with players Geoffrey Keezer, George Mraz and Clarence Penn. The group’s appearance at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz At Lincoln Center has become an annual tradition. Of Washington, Locke says: “He’s one of the greatest living male vocalists, without a doubt…a sublime story teller and exquisite balladeer.”...

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Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences worldwide with his soulful interpretations, his seemingly limitless range, and rapid-fire scatting. The New Orleans native is described by the San Francisco Chronicle as, “The superman of the Bay area Jazz scene, a vocalist with an exuberantly supple tenor that glides effortlessly into the stratosphere.” Ravi Coltrane declared Kenny Washington his favorite male vocalist and Mark Murphy told Jazz Times that Washington was the only contemporary make vocalist carrying on the tradition, stating, “Kenny’s got the gift.”



Describing the first time he heard Washington, vibraphonist Joe Locke said, “He sang “My Ship,” by Kurt Weill. It was a revelation. I was deeply affected by what I heard and vowed to find a way to collaborate.” In 2010, Locke featured Washington on For The Love of You (E1 Records, 2010) by the Joe Locke Group with players Geoffrey Keezer, George Mraz and Clarence Penn. The group’s appearance at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz At Lincoln Center has become an annual tradition. Of Washington, Locke says: “He’s one of the greatest living male vocalists, without a doubt…a sublime story teller and exquisite balladeer.”



In February 2013, Washington was tapped by Wynton Marsalis to appear in the Rose Theater at Jazz At Lincoln Center with Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra. He appeared alongside vocalists Gregory Porter and Paula West in Marsalis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio, Blood On The Fields.



Kenny Washington’s artistry draws on the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, infusing it with the colors of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway yet it is uniquely his own; his astounding improvisational flights, inventive approach and emotional intensity are awe inspiring.



Josh Nelson says: “Kenny dazzles an audience with his stellar tone, delivery, technique and charisma. The Josh Nelson Trio is delighted to accompany this spectacular artist.” And Kenny of Josh after their first appearance together: “It takes me about 15 seconds into a tune to know if I’m comfortable with a pianist or not. The first time I stepped on stage with him, Josh Nelson put me in that comfort zone in an instant. The emotion, timing and space he displays in accompanying a vocalist is priceless.”



This promises to be an extraordinary night of music. Don’t miss it!

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