Kenne Thomas K-tet at Jazz Central Studios

Kenne Thomas' K-TET brings the sound of Chicago/New York/Tokyo club jazz to the stage. Led by the explosive Chicago born drummer and composer, Kenne Thomas who came up in the hard swinging organ trios of Chicago's nightclubs and bars, the band is making its mark on the jazz scene with energetic live show and popular recordings.

Kenne is the son of the late Chicago jazz alto saxophonist, Jimmy "Bouncy" Whitehead. Growing up in a musical household he studied the music around him, later playing in driving south side jazz groups and also the high octane north side jazz fusion bands of the 1970s....

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Kenne Thomas' K-TET brings the sound of Chicago/New York/Tokyo club jazz to the stage. Led by the explosive Chicago born drummer and composer, Kenne Thomas who came up in the hard swinging organ trios of Chicago's nightclubs and bars, the band is making its mark on the jazz scene with energetic live show and popular recordings.

Kenne is the son of the late Chicago jazz alto saxophonist, Jimmy "Bouncy" Whitehead. Growing up in a musical household he studied the music around him, later playing in driving south side jazz groups and also the high octane north side jazz fusion bands of the 1970s.

After university, majoring in music education Kenne toured nationwide and overseas, settling in Japan for an extended time while playing drums with jazz organist, Toshihiko Kankawa.

Kenne's hard swinging group plays dynamic, crafted modern works featuring seasoned, professional jazz musicians from around the United States. The new tunes played here are ones for their next album, "Hip Bop."

Their CD, YESTERDAYS has garnered accolades from DJs, being played on jazz radio around the nation. Popular songs will catch your ear, like "Big Jim;" "Bouncy" and the radio friendly torch, love song, "I'll Be There With You" sung by the wonderful vocalist, Lila Ammons, who is the niece of the great Chicago jazz tenor saxophonist, Gene Ammons. Trained as a classical vocalist Ms Ammons was brought to the jazz medium by her lineage.

Modern jazz, cool swing, hard bop and sensuous ballads captivate the audience. The brass and sax front with the tight rhythm section, reminiscent of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers is the focus with memorable melodies, blazing solos and tribute to the styles of classic jazz and the contemporary genre.

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