Saxophonist Kenny Garrett, originally from Detroit, Michigan, had his first notable gig with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, directed by Ellington’s son Mercer. His most notable gig as a sideman was a five-year stint in Miles Davis's band in the 1980s. Nonesuch released Beyond the Wall in 2006, which drew heavily on Garrett’s longtime interest in Asian and specifically Chinese culture and earned him a Grammy nomination.
Saxophonist Kenny Garrett, originally from Detroit, Michigan, had his first notable gig with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, which was then directed by Ellington’s son Mercer. Work with many of the top names in jazz soon followed, such as the Mel Lewis Orchestra, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Elvin Jones. His most notable gig as a sideman though was a five-year stint in Miles Davis's band in the 1980s.
Garrett has released nearly 20 records as a leader since 1984’s Introducing Kenny Garrett, including Songbook, a collection of original pieces, which earned a Grammy nomination. Nonesuch released Beyond the Wall in 2006, which drew heavily on Garrett’s longtime interest in Asian and specifically Chinese culture and again earned Garrett a Grammy nomination.
