Kenny Garrett and Sounds from the Ancestors

• Jazz, Blues, Swing & Chanson

His tone is unmistakable, his playing irrepressible and full of originality: it is none other than Kenny Garrett, one of the most important and versatile saxophonists of his generation, who rose to global fame as a member of Miles Davis’ band in the 1980s. Garrett then developed his own musical identity as a bandleader with albums like »African Exchange Student« and »Black Hope«. Black music culture has always been the starting point for his musical language, and he pays tribute to this in his latest project »Sounds from the Ancestors«. The saxophone legend marks his Elbphilharmonie debut with this exciting programme.

»Sounds from the Ancestors« reflects the rich jazz, R&B and gospel history of Garrett’s home city of Detroit. Yet the album also has a contemporary and cosmopolitan feel – brought about especially by the inclusion of music from France, Cuba, Nigeria and Guadeloupe. »The concept,« he says, »was originally about drawing on some of the musical sounds I remember from my childhood – sounds that lift up the spirit, from songs like John Coltrane’s ›A Love Supreme‹, Aretha Franklin’s ›Amazing Grace‹, and Marvin Gaye’s ›What’s Going On‹, as well as the spiritual side of church. When I started thinking about it, I realised it was the spirit of my ancestors. Recognising the origins of the sounds we have incorporated into the aesthetic of Western music is extremely important.«

PERFORMERS

Kenny Garrett saxophone

Melvis Santa keyboard, vocals

Keith Brown piano

Corcoran Holt bass

Ronald Bruner drums

Rudy Bird percussion

PROGRAM

»Sounds from the Ancestors«