Quarantine Concert Series_#169: Eric Kennedy Kwanzaa
Eric Kennedy Kwanzaa Concert
This is a recording of their performance on Dec. 26, 2020
Warren Wolf, vibraphone
Allyn Johnson, piano
Obasi Akoto, bass
Eric Kennedy, drums & percussion
Eric Kennedy is a Baltimore native, drummer, vocalist, percussionist, educator and composer. Eric’s introduction to all styles of music and early music training was initiated by his musical relatives, who also cultivated his love of jazz. Eric continued his arts education at the Baltimore School for the Arts studying classical percussion and voice with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra percussionist John Locke, Donna Di Stefano and the late Dr. Nathan Carter and Ms. Jewel Churn of Frederick Douglass HIgh School. Eric has studied percussion and technique with legendary drummers Edgar Bateman, Johnny Polite, Billy Hart, Leroy Williams, Jamal Wilson and Clayton Cameron, voice with Timothy Shepherd and Odell Wilson and harmony/theory with Dr. Barry Harris.
Warren Wolf is a multi-instrumentalist from Baltimore From the age of three, Warren has been trained on the vibraphone/marimba, drums and piano under the guidance of his father Warren Wolf Sr. After graduating from Baltimore School for the Arts in 1997, Warren attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. There he studied with Caribbean jazz vibraphonist Dave Samuels and vibist Ed Saindon. Warren has performed with a who's who of the musical world. He has several recordings as a leader and recently signed to the Mack Ave recording label.
Native Washingtonian Allyn Johnson is a multi-talented musician, composer, arranger and producer whose trademark sound gives brilliance and fortitude to the art of jazz improvisation. Allyn, a prodigy who began playing piano at the tender age of five, got his start playing piano for the youth choir in his uncle’s church. While a student at the University of the District of Columbia, Allyn was mentored by the late great jazz legend Calvin Jones, a venerable figure in the international jazz community. Allyn has served for more than six years as an adjunct professor of music and assistant director
Relatively new to the DMV music scene, Obasi Akoto is well known for his work with Elvin Jones Jazz Machine and Baltimore’s own Cyrus Chestnut. A veteran bassist, Obasi has had a long and distinguished career performing and recording with some of the most important jazz musicians in the world. He has appeared on many recordings as a sideman and two others as a leader and composer: After 15 years at the helm of the University of Manitoba Jazz Studies program, Obasi Akoto is now retired and living in Baltimore, happy to be devoting himself to his career as a full-time performer, composer and recording artist.
Streaming cost is $10
Donations are welcomed.