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The Robert Glasper Experiment will be performing at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 26 at 7:30 pm. Glasper has long kept on foot planted firmly in jazz and the other in hip-hop and R&B. He's worked extensively with Q-Tip, playing keyboards on the rapper's 2008 album The Renaissance and co-writing the album single "Life Is Better" which featured his label mate Norah Jones. Milwaukee's own Kevin Hayden Trio is hosting and performing before the show - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
The Robert Glasper Experiment will be performing at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 26 at 7:30 pm. Glasper has long kept on foot planted firmly in jazz and the other in hip-hop and R&B. He's worked extensively with Q-Tip, playing keyboards on the rapper's 2008 album The Renaissance and co-writing the album single "Life Is Better" which featured his label mate Norah Jones. Milwaukee's own Kevin Hayden Trio is hosting and performing before the show - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
Kevin Hayden Trio will return in April with their third studio album and the follow-up to 2012’s Paris, entitled Illegal Playlist. The new album will be co-produced by Chicago's nationally recognized jazz pianist, Greg Spero (Buddy Rich Big Band) who recently appeared in London with drumming legend Dave Weckl.
Lead by drummer Kevin Hayden, the trio features Terry Harris Jr. on piano and younger brother Alan Harris on bass. They come together once again to give listeners a jazz rooted, genre crossing album that boasts a special guest appearance by hip-hop artist Klassik. Klassik recently performed with the Kevin Hayden Trio in a collaborative show headlined by grammy nominated pianist, Robert Glasper of the Robert Glasper Experiment. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
Kevin Hayden Trio will return in April with their third studio album and the follow-up to 2012’s Paris, entitled Illegal Playlist. The new album will be co-produced by Chicago's nationally recognized jazz pianist, Greg Spero (Buddy Rich Big Band) who recently appeared in London with drumming legend Dave Weckl.
Lead by drummer Kevin Hayden, the trio features Terry Harris Jr. on piano and younger brother Alan Harris on bass. They come together once again to give listeners a jazz rooted, genre crossing album that boasts a special guest appearance by hip-hop artist Klassik. Klassik recently performed with the Kevin Hayden Trio in a collaborative show headlined by grammy nominated pianist, Robert Glasper of the Robert Glasper Experiment. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
Not since the days of Miles Davis have we seen a more daring and musically innovative jazz musician. With a prominent gospel background and strong roots in hip hop and R&B, the vast amount of edgy and experimental flavor found in Kevin Hayden’s music should come to no surprise.
Kevin Hayden, nationally recognized jazz drummer, producer, arranger and composer, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been a major force behind the Milwaukee jazz scene since his move to the city in 2002. Having accompanied some of Milwaukee’s most notable music acts to include Street Life, the Evan Christian Quartet, Christopher’s Project, and the Static Chicken, Kevin has emerged as one of the most exciting and skillful drummers to witness in performance.
Five music projects released under his own name are proof that he doesn’t just work in the background as a drummer. His latest iTunes release, “Paris”, the trio’s sophomore project, is a true testament of his skills beyond drumming, as he is also the executive producer.
The first half of the album is an undoubted highlight that features tenor sax player Eric Schoor paying homage to the great Miles Davis in the ever-so-soulful and funky version of “So What”. Then comes the hard groove based “New Mason Street” featuring guitarist Darrien Williams who comps and solos fearlessly while the kick, snare and bass hit hard in the pocket. Later, the listener is captivated by the opening bass line in an up-tempo version of the famous jazz standard, “How High the Moon” where vocalist Camille Hunt is sweet and passionate in her delivery. The title track, “Paris”, an original piece is the very definition of musical bliss, producing plenty of heartwarming piano and vocal melodies over an inviting bass line.
The second half of the album introduces you to the roar of thunder on “Everything and Nothing (drum reprise)”, where Kevin lets his creative juices flow into a time tricky and syncopated drum solo over a dark and moody motif. The album then prepares to wind down with the smooth and easy approach of “Poetry” in which complex dark chords and progressions take precedence over a simple but thoughtful alto sax line. Finally, the album closes with “Journey”, a soft and emotional ballad that lures you in with sincere cultural based narration by Harrison D. Kern.
The trio consists of Terry Harris Jr. on piano along with younger brother, Alan Harris on bass. They are both active players on Milwaukee and Chicago’s music scene. Terry has been onboard the trio since it started in October 2011 and Alan was recently invited the same year in December. - Yahoo News
Not since the days of Miles Davis have we seen a more daring and musically innovative jazz musician. With a prominent gospel background and strong roots in hip hop and R&B, the vast amount of edgy and experimental flavor found in Kevin Hayden’s music should come to no surprise.
Kevin Hayden, nationally recognized jazz drummer, producer, arranger and composer, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been a major force behind the Milwaukee jazz scene since his move to the city in 2002. Having accompanied some of Milwaukee’s most notable music acts to include Street Life, the Evan Christian Quartet, Christopher’s Project, and the Static Chicken, Kevin has emerged as one of the most exciting and skillful drummers to witness in performance.
Five music projects released under his own name are proof that he doesn’t just work in the background as a drummer. His latest iTunes release, “Paris”, the trio’s sophomore project, is a true testament of his skills beyond drumming, as he is also the executive producer.
The first half of the album is an undoubted highlight that features tenor sax player Eric Schoor paying homage to the great Miles Davis in the ever-so-soulful and funky version of “So What”. Then comes the hard groove based “New Mason Street” featuring guitarist Darrien Williams who comps and solos fearlessly while the kick, snare and bass hit hard in the pocket. Later, the listener is captivated by the opening bass line in an up-tempo version of the famous jazz standard, “How High the Moon” where vocalist Camille Hunt is sweet and passionate in her delivery. The title track, “Paris”, an original piece is the very definition of musical bliss, producing plenty of heartwarming piano and vocal melodies over an inviting bass line.
The second half of the album introduces you to the roar of thunder on “Everything and Nothing (drum reprise)”, where Kevin lets his creative juices flow into a time tricky and syncopated drum solo over a dark and moody motif. The album then prepares to wind down with the smooth and easy approach of “Poetry” in which complex dark chords and progressions take precedence over a simple but thoughtful alto sax line. Finally, the album closes with “Journey”, a soft and emotional ballad that lures you in with sincere cultural based narration by Harrison D. Kern.
The trio consists of Terry Harris Jr. on piano along with younger brother, Alan Harris on bass. They are both active players on Milwaukee and Chicago’s music scene. Terry has been onboard the trio since it started in October 2011 and Alan was recently invited the same year in December. - Yahoo News
Kevin Hayden has had it.
And he wants everyone to know it.
The 'it' in this case is what Hayden sees as the kidnapping of the medium of radio.
"Mainstream radio has declared a sense of martial law against the ears of music lovers," Hayden opined.
"To say the least, real music seems to have been outlawed from the airwaves."
It was this sense of frustration that was the aegis for the eponymous trio's third studio album, Illegal Playlist.
The Kevin Hayden Trio is a Milwaukee-based group that offers up a melange of the musical genres of jazz, fusion, r&b and hip-hop.
Drummer extraordinaire Hayden is joined by pianist Terry Harris, Jr. and brother Alan Harris on electric bass.
Illegal Playlist is the followup to their 2012 joint, Paris.
"We are part of a small resistance (movement) who still write, arrange and play from the heart," Hayden said.
The new effort is being co-produced by renowned pianist Greg Spero (Buddy Rich Big Band) and cross-pollinates the jazz with Radio Milwaukee's Solo Artist of The Year, Klassik, who generously sprinkles in his hip-hop flair to this stew.
The trio performs there on the first, third and fifth Mondays of the month and mesmerizes the audience with every set.
Hayden, in particular, coaxes an incredible beat out of his sticks with a staccato style and unique cymbal work. - Examiner
Kevin Hayden has had it.
And he wants everyone to know it.
The 'it' in this case is what Hayden sees as the kidnapping of the medium of radio.
"Mainstream radio has declared a sense of martial law against the ears of music lovers," Hayden opined.
"To say the least, real music seems to have been outlawed from the airwaves."
It was this sense of frustration that was the aegis for the eponymous trio's third studio album, Illegal Playlist.
The Kevin Hayden Trio is a Milwaukee-based group that offers up a melange of the musical genres of jazz, fusion, r&b and hip-hop.
Drummer extraordinaire Hayden is joined by pianist Terry Harris, Jr. and brother Alan Harris on electric bass.
Illegal Playlist is the followup to their 2012 joint, Paris.
"We are part of a small resistance (movement) who still write, arrange and play from the heart," Hayden said.
The new effort is being co-produced by renowned pianist Greg Spero (Buddy Rich Big Band) and cross-pollinates the jazz with Radio Milwaukee's Solo Artist of The Year, Klassik, who generously sprinkles in his hip-hop flair to this stew.
The trio performs there on the first, third and fifth Mondays of the month and mesmerizes the audience with every set.
Hayden, in particular, coaxes an incredible beat out of his sticks with a staccato style and unique cymbal work. - Examiner
Discography
Delegations & Assignments - 2009
Distant - 2010
Awaken - 2011
The Winter Project - 2011
Paris - 2012
Illegal Playlist - 2013
Photos
Bio
Kevin Hayden is a drummer/producer/composer, born in 1980, in Fort Wayne, IN. At the early age of 2, he was musically influenced by his father, Tracey, who also played drums. Kevin comes from a long line of family drummers and was brought up in church where he was afforded the opportunity to play for various community choirs. When he was 13, he was noticed at his church by a well known choir director, Chris Ford, which led to his involvement in hundreds of local performances, a live recording with the Fort Wayne Youth Ensemble and tours in Georgia and Texas.
In 1994 Kevin continued to grow and mature on the gospel scene but was inadvertently introduced to the music of jazz drummer Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets) which changed his entire approach to drums. A year later, his uncle David Perkins introduced him to the cassette tape “Masterplan” by fusion drummer Dave Weckl. Studying day and night, Kevin was determined to gain these new concepts of jazz and fusion. His combination of gospel, fusion and jazz led to a distinct and unique style which captivated his listeners. In 1998 Kevin entered into the US Marines but his musical journey did not stop. In 1999 while stationed in Camp Lejeune NC, Kevin was fortunate to meet drummer Lamont Sydnor (Christina Milian, Wayne Brady) who was also in the Marines and at that time playing for the Mike Corrado Band. After hearing Kevin’s skills, Lamont saw his potential and quickly embraced him as a friend and began to broaden and shape his skills on the drum set.
After completing the Marines in 2002, Kevin moved to his mother’s home town of Milwaukee Wisconsin. It wasn’t too long before he drew the attention of other great musicians at various jam sessions and auditions. Since then, Kevin has worked with well known Milwaukee acts such as Christopher’s Project, De La Buena, Street Life, Growing Nation, the Terry Sims Band, the Evan Christian Quartet, Choir Fight, Isaiah Joshua Group, the Adventures of the Static Chicken, SLM, Ethan Keller and a host of other musicians and singers. In 2007, Kevin enrolled in the music program of Milwaukee Area Technical College where he studied music under one of Milwaukee’s premiere jazz drummers Ben Hans.
By 2008 Kevin had released a series of youtube videos which caught the attention of Gospel Chops CEO Gerald Forrest. This connection led to a spot on the 2009 Gospel Chops' bass performance DVD "Bass Sessionzs Vol 1". Here he had the privilege and honor to work on the same set as drumming legend Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Michael Brecker) and veteran pianist John Beasley (Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard).
Soon after the Gospel Chops recording and through the mentorship and guidance of Gerald, Kevin then recorded and released his debut album "Delegations And Assignments" which featured keyboardist Terry Harris Jr., bassist Damian Erskine (Peter Erskine Trio) and bassist/producer Lance Tolbert (Mariah Carey.) The success of the project then sparked Kevin to fulfill his music career by starting his own jazz fusion band, the “Kevin Hayden Band. This band featured keyboardist Theo Merriweather, bassist Dwayne Williams and saxophonist Tobias Cainion which debuted their live performance at the world famous Jazz Estate in Milwaukee.
In 2010, Kevin released his hit single “Distant" which featured his friends Joel Wade on keys, Christopher Marcellus on bass and Isaiah Joshua on alto sax. He also earned the Kevin Hayden Band a spot at the Milwaukee World Festival “Summerfest” and continued to perform regularly on the area’s premier jazz scene to include jazz clubs and festivals.
2011 proved to be a busy year as well with the release of the gospel/fusion performance track "Awaken", which features the music of Phillip Smedley II who also produced Kevin Hayden's "Skyline" on the Delegations And Assignments album. Soon afterwards came the Kevin Hayden Trio and the debut release of the trio's "The Winter Project" which features Evan Paydon on bass and Terry Harris Jr. on keys. Guest appearances include Isaiah Joshua on alto sax and vocalist Camille Hunt.
In early 2012 the trio acquired bassist Alan Harris and released their latest album "Paris". This album features tenor saxophonist Eric Schoor, alto saxophonist Isaiah Joshua, guitarist Darrien Williams and vocalist Camille Hunt. Also included is a very notable guest appearance by narrator Harrison D. Kern. By the middle of the year, Kevin, recruited a 4th member to the band, keytarist, Quintin Gulledge. Quintin adds an experimental and fusion touch to the band which allows them to explore new terrains in music.
Illegal Playlist, the groups third studio album, was the kick-off to 2013. The trio brings Camille Hunt back for the vocals on "The Way You Make Me Feel" and Darrien Williams on guitar for Terry Harris' arrangement of "Caravan". Other notable guests include Milwaukee based award winning hip hop artist "Klassik", guitarist Shonn Hinton, and keytarist Quintin Gulledge.
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