"Ken Kehner is quite possibly the best kept secret in the jazz world today. He brings his impeccable
artistry and musical taste to every situation, with superior results every time. This release marks his
long overdue debut as a leader, and the fact that you, the listener, are reading these comments means that
you are in for a treat! So sit back and enjoy the amazing Ken Kehner!" - Scott Whitfield (jazz great)
Bios
Ken Kehner - (piano) Holds a degree in Piano Performance from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. This is his seventh
year teaching jazz piano and improvisation at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Ken is a mainstay at the Jim Widner jazz camps
throughout the U.S. He has backed such noted artists as Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Buddy DeFranco, Pete Christlieb, Eric Marienthal,
Louie Bellson and Clark Terry. Ken is also a member of Elsie Parker's group, the Poor People of Paris, and can be heard on that group's
CD entitled Live! For this session, Ken is paired with an exceptionally talented and fierce rhythm duo in Marty Morrison and Nick Jost.
A gifted classical soloist, Ken has been featured as soloist with several orchestras and will be featured on future chamber ensemble
recordings for Eye-full Tower. Ken credits his paternal grandmother for introducing him to the piano. and his parents with nurturing
his musical talents and creativity, and instilling a strong work ethic from a very young age.
Marty Morrison - (drums) Marty Morrison began playing drums at age 5, exposed to music at this early age by his father, Billy,
a jazz organist and pianist. From 1993 to 1997 Marty performed with the Unified Jazz Ensemble (UJE), a group of musicians who worked
for the National Endowment for the Arts Rural Arts Initiative Program. Marty lived in the Washington, D.C. area from 1997 to 2007
working with such notables as Rick Margitza, Vanessa Rubin, Gary Thomas, Eric Alexander, Harold Maeburn, Tim Hagens, Benito
Gonzalez and Phil Woods. He also played a number of gigs with the Marcus Roberts Trio. In 2009 he was offered a graduate
assistantship at Southern Illinois University and will have attained a Master's of Music Degree by the time of the release of this
CD. Marty is thankful for the musical opportunities that have carried him world-wide. Marty is also ecstatic to work with his long-time
rhythm-mate Nick Jost whom he describes as his best friend musically and in life. While not on tour, Marty enjoys a healthy and creative
performing and teaching career in St. Louis, MO.
Nick Jost - (bass) Nick has been an in-demand bass player in the St. Louis, MO area since 2001. In that time he has played just
about every style of music from straight ahead jazz to free jazz, hip-hop, and metal. Nick brings an energy to the music that is his alone.
Teaching has also been a part of Jost's career having taught at Birch Creek Music Camp in Door County, Wisconsin, the Southern
Illinois - Edwardsville Jazz Camp, the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory in Nepal, and a number of jazz clinics around the country.
Jost recently graduated with a Master's Degree from Southern Illinois - University Edwardsville.
Track List
1. Pogo - Kehner (KWKehner Music) I wanted to write an up-tempo swinger for this session to
feature the fiery intensity of my long-time friend Marty Morrison's drumming.
He didn't disappoint! Nick displays his virtuosity on this song's tricky melody.
2. Waltz for Camille - Kehner (KWKehner Music) The tune was penned in 2004 in memory
of my wife's cat Camille. Although Camille was extremely high-maintenance, I chose to honor
her more loving, docile side. I originally wrote the song as a jazz waltz, but changed it to
even-eighths at Marty's suggestion. The result is a more floating feel to the performance.
Check out Nick's clever counterpoint to the melody.
3. From This Moment On - Porter (Chappell & Co) This Cole Porter gem from the musical
"Kiss Me, Kate" was an up-tempo show-stopper, but I prefer a more muted and lyrical
interpretation. The intro was inspired by Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.
4. Franklin's Blues - Kehner (KWKehner Music) This tune commemorates the playfulness of
my cat Franklin when he was a young kitten. The recurring major 2nds in the melody depict
Frankie's attempt at playing the piano with his paws. Apparently, Franklin digs Monk.
5. 3:45 a.m. - Kehner (KWKehner Music) The motif for this number came to me one night during
a moment of insomnia at 3:45 a.m. I immediately got up and went to the piano before I lost the idea,
then finished the rest of the tune later that day. Marty and Nick establish a solid groove and never let up.
6. Sweet Lorraine - Burwell/Parish (EMI Mills Music Inc) I first heard this tune on an episode
of "Family Ties". Alex Keaton, played by Michael J. Fox, falls for an older woman named Lorraine
and obsessively plays only "Sweet Lorraine" on his campus radio show.
7. Stablemates - Golson (Time Step Music) This has always been my favorite Benny Golson tune.
Originally recorded by The Miles Davis Quintet, it prominantly features the post bop harmonic
device called the side-step ii-V in which a regular ii-V is foreshadowed by a ii-V progression either up
or down one half-step.
8. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise - Romberg/Hammerstein (Warner Bros/Bambalina)
Originally a tango, this piece was composed for the 1928 operetta "The New Moon."
My arrangement is driven by the ostinato bass-line in 7/4.
9. Prelude 22 in Bb minor - J.S. Bach/Ken Kehner This selection taps into my classical
background. This prelude has always been one of my favorites from Bach’s Well-Tempered
Clavier, Vol. I. Nick and Marty really helped this adaptation take shape. I hope Johann doesn't mind.
10. That's All - Brandt/Haymes (Warner-Tamerlane Pub Corp) This terrific standard has been
covered by everyone from Nat King Cole to Adam Sandler. I’ve always admired the versatility
of this tune, and decided to try it as a jazz waltz for this session. We found it interesting and
challenging to play each of the A sections in a different key.
11. Consequences - Kehner (KWKehner Music) We all have experiences in our pasts where we
learned, the hard way, about the consequences of our actions.
This piece represents one of those moments.
Recorded September 12th and October 31st, 2011
at The Sheldon Concert Hall, St. Louis, MO
For CD's and Bookings: (573) 680-2909
cdbaby
House pets inspire musician
Ken Kehner’s a cat guy. And he’s OK with letting the public in on that.
So much so in fact, that his new jazz CD, “From This Moment On,” which he recorded with his band the Ken Kehner Trio, contains two compositions influenced by his pet felines, Franklin and Camille.
