Kevin Hays, Bill Stewart - American Ballad

Kevin Hays :

Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist, composer, and singer/songwriter Kevin Hays, is internationally recognized as one of the most original and compelling musicians of his generation. His many recordings have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times, as well as the “Coup de Coeur” award from the Académie Charles Cros (France).

Kevin has appeared on numerous albums as a guest artist, recording with Chris Potter, Bill Stewart, Joshua Redman, Jeff Ballard, Nicholas Payton, and Al Foster, among many others. Notable collaborations include a piano duo project with Brad Mehldau (Modern Music - Nonesuch), world tours with James Taylor, Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, and Roy Haynes.

Bill Stewart :

After college, Stewart moved to New York where he quickly built his reputation, first gaining wider recognition in John Scofield’s quartet with pianist Michael Eckroth and bassist Ben Street and in a trio with Larry Goldings and Peter Bernstein which has become the longest-running group Stewart has played with, having begun in 1989 and continuing to this day.

Stewart's musical horizons expanded when funk saxophonist Maceo Parker tapped the budding drummer upon seeing him with Larry Goldings at a regular gig at a club in Manhattan.

Bill has released 2 celebrated trio albums (Keynote Speakers & Incandescence) with Kevin Hays and Larry Goldings. He also appears on several recordings as a member of The Kevin Hays Trio. Other musical associations are Lee Konitz, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny and many others.