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Saxophonist Shannon Kennedy
Who is Shannon Kennedy?

SAXOPHONIST SHANNON KENNEDY BIO
By Jonathan Widran, National Jazz Author

More accomplished as a composer, producer and multi-faceted performer and recording artist at 19 than most musicians over twice her age, saxophonist Shannon Kennedy has been hailed by fans, press and fellow musicians as an “up and comer” in contemporary jazz since she started gigging professionally in her native Orange County, California at the age of 16.

Her powerful and much-acclaimed cameos with some of the biggest names in smooth jazz as a guest artist on the 2007 Brian Culbertson All-Star Cruise, however, make it clear to thousands of contemporary jazz fans across the country that she’s no longer just on her way—she’s arrived and more than ready to keep the momentum going. In addition to sharing the stage at jam sessions with such genre stars as Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius and Gerald Albright, she electrified the crowds in duet segments throughout the event with former rocker Craig Chaquico, saxman Michael Lington and guitarist Nick Colionne.

Daring these three veteran musicians to keep up with her innovative improvisations, Kennedy more than lived up to the title of her just-released solo CD Steppin’ Up. The critically acclaimed, stylistically diverse 12-track collection, which features the saxophonist on soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones in addition to keyboards, flute, and clarinet, includes 11 songs which she wrote or co-wrote, plus a heartfelt cover of Ellington’s cherished “In A Sentimental Mood.” Kennedy produced Steppin’ Up with veteran saxophonist (and former member of smooth jazz super group Kilauea) Greg Vail; the disc also includes exciting guest performances by contemporary jazz superstars Peter White and Kirk Whalum.

Reflecting the true, creative free spirit of an independent artist, Kennedy draws from a fascinating, wide-ranging palette of musical influences, ranging from the pop-blues-funk of Steely Dan (the opening track “Double Shot”) to playful calypso grooves (“Old Town Coffee House”), sensuous tango (“Just A Sketch”), gospel (the anthemic “Do You Remember?”), old school pop-soul (“Whatcha Gonna Do?”) and a contemporary twist on bossa nova (“Mosaics”).

“In addition to giving everybody a chance to see what I can do as a player, Steppin’ Up allows me to show my versatility as a writer, arranger and producer,” she says. “It’s different in that it basically proves there’s nothing I wouldn’t do as an artist, that I really appreciate so many different genres of music. A lot of artists put restrictions on themselves, playing just one sax or in just one basic style, but I wanted to create a project that would be impossible to put in a ‘box’ or categorize. I love everyone from Gerald Albright and Steely Dan to Kenny Garrett, and I love listening to international music as well. Greg Vail has been my primary mentor for years, and I’ve learned so much from him. So his influence and style of playing is very prominent in my music as well.”

At an age when most teenagers are trying to determine a college major or otherwise figure out their lives, Kennedy is living an exciting whirlwind life centered around her lifelong passion for music. A full time classical saxophone performance major at Cal State Long Beach, she teaches both master classes and band sectionals at a local junior high school; does graphic and web design for numerous veteran musicians; designs and hosts teenjazz.com, the world’s largest website for young musicians; does studio work for a local musician who records Latin Jazz and Gospel projects; and studies saxophone repair at a prominent shop in Hollywood.

In addition, Kennedy regularly plays at weddings and parties and performs regular club and restaurant gigs (most prominently, Antonucci’s in Mission Viejo), in addition to playing nearly every Sunday in the band at either Mission Viejo Christian Church or Saddleback Church. She’s already played at numerous regional festivals, and this coming summer will appear at the Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival and the Temecula Balloon Festival. The saxophonist is also a writer who published her first article at 18 in a music magazine on the topic of “doubling,” about the challenge for musicians who, like her, play a multitude of instruments. A Rheuben Allen endorsee and Rico (reeds) Junior Artist, she also has endorsements with the Beechler mouthpiece company and the oboe reed company Marca.

Angel Eyes, Shannon Kennedy’s debut album, was released only a few months after her high school graduation in the summer of 2005. The album features an assorted mix of music from different genres recorded live in two days featuring Shannon’s abilities on flute, soprano and alto saxophones.

“I think when you’re my age and female, people have preconceived notions of who I am and what I can do,” Kennedy says. “Guys that I hire will come to a gig and wonder if I’m the chick singer, and when I tell them I’m the sax player, they wonder if I can really play. Then I start playing, and it’s a whole different story. I’m fighting all those biases and really proving now that I can be ‘one of the guys’. Everyone has certain expectations, and I am always trying to exceed those by 500 percent. A lot of female musicians lose their identity trying to establish themselves, but I have a much clearer picture of who I am and where I’m going. It’s exciting for me to do something I love this much. My goal is just to keep performing for more and more people and grow as a writer, producer and artist. I’m happy as long as I’m able to play.”


More About Shannon Kennedy?

Shannon Kennedy is a young female saxophonist playing in the smooth jazz, contemporary music, instrumental pop, traditional jazz and gospel music styles. She is a Rheuben Allen sax artist and Rico Junior Artist in Southern California playing soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, clarinet, and occasionally oboe. As said by Bijon Watson, the music director at OCHSA where Shannon attended high school, "Shannon Kennedy is a vital member of every ensemble that she participates in. She demonstrates great proficiency no matter what genre of music she is called upon to play..."

Performing regularly in venues in the Orange County, San Diego, and Los Angeles areas, Shannon is quickly gaining recognition as an up and coming saxophonist. In the words of Sax Talk’s Rex Djere, “Shannon Kennedy is a very talented young saxophonist who is taking the music world by storm. A native of Southern California, Kennedy’s musical rise has made her a force to be reckoned with.” She performs and shares the role as a leader in a blues band, performs with her own jazz quartet, and records in various music styles regularly.

“Angel Eyes”, Shannon Kennedy’s debut album, was released only a few months after her high school graduation in the summer of 2005. The album features an assorted mix of music from different genres recorded live in two days featuring Shannon’s abilities on flute, soprano and alto saxophones.

The release of her second album, "Steppin Up", January 20, 2007,featured her skills as a performer, arranger, composer, producer, and graphic designer. "Steppin Up" features Shannon on flute, clarinet, acoustic guitar, keyboards, soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax, and bari sax. The CD also features several guest artists including Peter White and Kirk Whalum.

Shannon Kennedy began performing as a professional saxophonist at the age of fifteen, only one year after she began playing saxophone. Since, she has performed with artists including Justo Almario, Rob Mullins, Carmen Bradford, Eric Marienthal, Greg Vail, Bill Cunliffe, Nils, Jeff Kashiwa, and Michael Paulo, etc. Dubbed the female smooth jazz saxophonist of the next generation by many, Shannon Kennedy looks forward to a career in saxophone performance. “[Shannon Kennedy] has a quick wit, a keen philosophical mind, and I have NO doubt that she will not only be a great saxophonist...Shannon Kennedy has the rare combination of killer chops and a killer sound...Shannon Kennedy is an amazing talent..." – Rex Djere, Sax Talk

Why Shannon began playing music:

"Shannon Kennedy has always enjoyed music of every genre and style. Shannon first began music at the age of four singing in choirs, participating in theater programs, and vocal classes. Initially inspired by singer/songwriters such as Jewel, Tracy Chapman, and Donna Lewis, Shannon Kennedy picked up the guitar at the age of six and towed her half-size acoustic guitar everywhere from school to the beach (it still has sand in it to this day).

When Shannon began junior high, she was given the option to continue with theater or quit and join the school band - so for variation, she began playing the flute (quite by accident, Shannon really wanted to play the trumpet) and joined the school band. She began studying with Mark Petrash and Michael Mekata who encouraged her and pushed her to do her best. Shannon spent all her time in a practice room and began experimenting with composition on the piano - writing her first compositions at the age of 12 (they were flute solos with piano accompaniment). However, Shannon Kennedy's real interest was in the jazz band - which she was not allowed to perform in because flute was not a "jazz instrument". Despite this discouragement, Shannon still sat in at all the rehearsals transposing either the sax or trumpet parts on flute.

When Shannon Kennedy began high school, she began to learn the alto saxophone and immediately joined one of the school's jazz combos, but was still focused on studying classical flute (and oboe which she had also begun studying). It wasn't until a concert she attended where Greg Vail was performing that she truly began to appreciate jazz and knew that it was what she wanted to do.

Shannon Kennedy's musical influences:

Some of Shannon's influences include:
Soprano Saxophone - Greg Vail, David Liebman, Kenny Garrett
Alto Saxophone - Gerald Albright, Kenny Garrett, Mindi Abair, Vincent Herring, Cannonball, Chris Potter, Dan Higgins, Candy Dulfer
Tenor Saxophone - Kirk Whalum, Greg Vail, Michael Brecker, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Bob Mintzer
Bari Sax - Ronnie Cuber
Flute - Danilo Lozano, James Galway
Clarinet - Brecker and Mintzer
Everything Else - Kurt Elling, Diane Schuur, Kevin Whalum, Bread, Steely Dan, the James Taylor, Peter White, Nick Colionne, Richard Bona and many more

Shannon and Dave Kennedy's Reed Case Company:

KenKase Reed Cases started out just making reed cases for Shannon Kennedy and her saxophone playing friends because a decent reed case from a music store was ridiculously high-priced. However, as more people got their hands on KenKase Reed Cases, people began asking Shannon Kennedy and her father, Dave Kennedy to distribute the cases - which on a small scale, they did. KenKase makes exotic hardwood reed cases and colorful acrylic or enamel cases for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bari sax, clarinet, and bass clarinet to hold 5 reeds or 10 reeds.


About Shannon Kennedy's Band:

Drew Simpson - Guitar
Bob Fazio - Bass
Aaron Mason - Bass
Bubba Bryant - Drums
Craig Chestnut - Drums
Tony Guerrero - Keys
Dan Reckard - Keys
Andrew Sporn - Keys



 
 
Shannon Kennedy Testimonials

"Releasing about one CD a year since high school, she is on her third CD entitled Steppin Up. She sticks basically to the smooth jazz type of sound that sells! She also has some funkier type of tracks on this CD, but still keeps it laid back for the smooth sound she is going for. It's relaxing music with a somewhat spirited sound. " - The Jazz Depot

"With smooth jazz being such a male dominated genre, it’s been great to see the success of Mindi Abair, Candy Dulfer and Pamela Williams not only on a commercial level but with some of the current decades’ best recordings and live performances. Orange County, California based Shannon Kennedy may only be 19, but there’s no question that within a few years—if not sooner--she’ll be giving these saxtresses a run for their money in a big way. "
- Jonathan Widran, 2007

"Kennedy [plays] with confidence that belies her youth."
- Paul Hodgins, Post Haste - The Sounds of Child Prodigies - Nov 2006.

"Shannon Kennedy is an incredible teenage saxophonist who is fast becoming a saxophone master... She impressed me because I could tell she is very focused on music. This is one of the primary signs of greatness... Shannon Kennedy is a sweetheart of a person and I know that she will be one of the greats one day..."
- Saxtalk.com Junior Artist of the Month Article - May 2005

"Shannon Kennedy is anything but dry. She was one the most genuine, cordial, sweet, and caring individuals that I have ever had the pleasure of interviewing. She has a quick wit, a keen philosophical mind, and I have NO doubt that she will not only be a great saxophonist...Shannon Kennedy has the rare combination of killer chops and a killer sound...Shannon Kennedy is an amazing talent ..."
- Sax Talk Bios

“The California-based Kennedy is well known not only for her groundbreaking sax style but her commitment to outreach and educational programs for teens and aspiring musicians. She has accomplished so much at [a young age] and is really the leader in connecting the music industry to aspiring young players. Her outreach to upcoming players is a true inspiration to future professionals.”
– Robert Polan, D’Addario Music Company

“Last fall, we heard an amazing teenage sax talent, O.C.’s Shannon Kennedy, play a few expert sets…”
– Anne Valdespino, From OC Post Feb 22, 2007

"...a star in the making. And, in an industry where image is so important, her beauty plus talent adds a different flavor to the band that makes Taboo appealing to all tastes." - Gabriel D. Negrete, saxophonist

About Shannon Kennedy's CD Never My Love:

"White’s always-recognizable acoustic guitar spruces up the sweet, soprano driven reading of the title track, but Shannon’s virtuosity as both producer and musician is the driving force. The best of the originals, “All It Takes” is slamming retro funk fun, and nicely balances the softer touches of “Fire And Rain” (given a bluesy treatment here with the help of Drew Simpson’s guitar), the soothing title track and two beautiful Bread ballads “If” and “Make It With You.” She also cleverly brings out the whimsy via the flute on Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).”"
- Jonathan Widran

About Shannon Kennedy's CD Steppin Up:

"Very nice [CD] - nice playing. I like how you use the low register more than other players. It's such a nice color. Well done interesting music and arranging. You covered a lot of interesting grooves while holding the CD together with a common thread of compositions with integrity. I know how much works goes into it and it's not overlooked."
- Dan Higgins, studio musician and composer

"Very nicely done. I think the soprano sound on the Ellington piece is really nice, and the EWI in the background is a great touch as well."
- Kurt Witt, Yamaha, Band and Orchestra Division

"[Steppin Up] is leagues above [Shannon's] last CD. It is incredible. [Steppin Up] is definitely 94.7 the Wave material."
- Andrea Carol-Libman, drummer

"I've listened to your new CD and it's UNBELIEVABLE! I'm so impressed with the compositions, and it's really cool that you got Kirk Whalum and Peter White to contribute. And the ever awesome Greg Vail. Way to go! You will amount to EVERYTHING!"
- Molly, a huge fan!

About Shannon Kennedy's CD Angel Eyes:

“I ended up buying your CD and enjoyed it a lot. You have a great sound and definitely have nice amount of talent flowing from you.”
– Ryan Ricketts

“PERFECTION! Shannon Kennedy is an unbelievable musician. She is going places!”
– Gini Bailey

“Good charts unusual arrangements, great flute!! This young lady and her [friends] are tight! I am waiting to see what happens next.”
– Saunders Jones, saxophonist

“Shannon Kennedy has done something really special with this debut effort, Angel Eyes. The songs, arrangements and performance is superb, and this coming from Orange County High School players. Shannon's Sax and Flute sound great and this disc is sure to be the first of many to follow.”
– Greg Vail, saxophonist

“In Shannon’s new CD, she manages to merge these standards of jazz with her lush smooth sax(es) and flute sound. I suggest this CD to anybody who is out on the look for upcoming saxophonists/flautists.”
– Tony Wong, saxophonist

What other musicians have to say about working with Shannon:

"Shannon Kennedy is a a vital member of every ensemble that she participates in. She demonstrates great proficiency no matter what genre of music she is called upon to play..."
- Bijon Watson, Director of Commercial Music at OCHSA 2004

“Shannon Kennedy is a very talented young saxophonist who is taking the the music world by storm. A native of Southern California, Kennedy’s musical rise has made her a force to be reckoned with.”
– Rex Djere, Sax Talk

Quotes from some of Shannon's fans:

"I visited your 'Shannon Kennedy' web site again today. You have added so much more. Good luck with the release of Steppin Up. You are so very talented, your web designs are outstanding. I have added your site to my favorites so I can check for new items. It’s obvious you are working extremely hard, and it’s apparent that you have a passion for jazz."
- Eileen Kennedy

"Lyn and I would like to Thank-You again for the wonderful performance you put on for us on Saturday. We enjoyed your presentation and your playing was awesome! The guests are still talking about how great you and the group were and how fantastic it was that we chose you for our entertainment. Everyone had a great time and we are still talking about the fond memories that evening had for us both."
- Glenn and Lyn Wurdemann