Quartet No. 1

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		Who Told You That	7:35	Play
2		Teahouse	7:19	Play
3		No Small Favor	5:21	Play
4		Barrage	7:11	Play
5		Something For You	6:53	Play
6		Any Other Day	7:36	Play
7		For Now	10:08	Play
8		Six To One	5:34	Play
9		Some Blues	4:38	Play
10		Say It	4:20	Play

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Description

The CD "Quartet No. 1" features Mike Kennedy (guitar), Chris Farr (tenor and soprano saxophone), Lucas Brown (hammond organ), and Dan Monaghan (drumset). The CD is comprised of ten original compositions written and arranged by Mike. Visit www.kennedymusic.com for more about Mike and upcoming gigs.

Mike's formal education in jazz guitar was completed at the University of the Arts, College of Performing Arts, in Philadelphia where he received both his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Guitar and his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies. Always with the desire to expand his repertoire and the boundaries of his knowledge and skills, Mike has, and continues to, pursue studies with highly respected musicians. With the ethic that a firm musical foundation expands his ability to absorb, contemplate and create, Mike studied with, among others, Jimmy Bruno, Larry McKenna, Bob DiNardo, Joe Federico, and Allan Slutsky.

Mike currently lives in the Art Museum area of Philadelphia County with his wife. Working part time teaching guitar in the collegiate setting as well as at a college preparatory school, Mike spends the rest of his time writing compositions and playing, both locally and in the surrounding region. Over the past few years, Mike has had the opportunity to perform with such renowned Philadelphia musicians as Larry McKenna and John Swana and has also recently performed with International artist Lou Rawls.

Throughout his education and career, Mike has performed and created compositions in various musical genres from jazz to rock and R&B, but over the past decade, he has focused almost exclusively on jazz. Mike identified with the rhythmic complexity of jazz music, the wit and perception of improvisation and the dichotomy between the spontaneity of the individual and the communication within a group. Mike's adoration of jazz music went beyond performance into the realm of composition where he excelled. With a sound based in the bebop tradition, yet with a definite modern presence, Mike collected a series of ten tunes for his first self-produced jazz CD, "Quartet No. 1," which was released in late 2002. Mike's vision for the group dynamic for Quartet No. 1 came together in late 2001 when he played a gig with Chris, Lucas, and Dan. He instinctively knew that they were the right combination of musicians to perform on "Quartet No. 1" which captures the true sound of the group.

Some of the reviews that "Quartet No. 1" has received include the following:

"[T]unes are boppish and swing hard...captures the attention."
-Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer

"[A]n innovative jazz guitarist/composer exploring new trails in Jazz..."
-True Van Deusen, Philadelphia Metro and All About Jazz

"Local musician, guitarist Mike Kennedy, and his group doing some fascinating new explorations within his own compositions...very lovely, bright and wonderful things here...Great, just marvelous...This group really hangs together beautifully and I'm sure we're going to hear a great deal more from them. They're terrific...
There are a number of things on this album that I think you will find quite fascinating...Tremendous album. I recommend it highly."
-WRTI, 90.1FM, Dr. Jack Buerkle, Jazz Encounters, July 14, 2002

"Mike Kennedy, guitarist and composer, has put together an exceptionally fine collection of original music...The 10 songs include Who Told You That, Teahouse, Something For You, the intricate For Now (10:05 minutes playing time), Some Blues, Say It, among others. Any Other Day is another nice work, one in which the solo work is superb, and that it the key to all these performances---the solo work is superb as well as the group interaction...QUARTET NO. 1 is a fine musical outing for jazz listeners...
Barrage was one of my favorites in this CD among many because every instrument produced the sound of entertaining jazz. Simply put, this is an outstanding jazz CD, one to savor and enjoy often."
-Lee Prosser, JazzReview.com

"Guitarist and composer Mike Kennedy has brought a 60's combo feeling to Quartet No. 1...For my taste, usually straight ahead jazz is not my cup of tea, but Kennedy's release kept me interested through the entire CD...A major reason why this collection works is because of the strong writing of Mike Kennedy. Kennedy wrote all ten tracks and even though the arrangements rival some of the best jazz tracks of the 60's, there is a contemporary feel to the material that brings about today's emotions...Kennedy has brought traditional jazz into the 21st Century with today's sensitivity and classic taste."
-Norm Breest, JazzReview.com