Ken Ard

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Ken Ard live performance photos thoroughout Europe ____________________________________________________________ ______________ Myspace Layouts Myspace Video CodesKen Ard Live @ Cristofori in Amsterdam with Rob van Kreeveld on Piano "Never Let Me Go" ____________________________________________________________ _____________Ken Ard has originated leading roles in the Broadway companies of “Smokey Joe’s Café“, “Cats“, “Starlight Express“, Graciela Daniele’s “Dangerous Games“.Being a two time Grammy Award winning singer for the musical soundtrack albums (Smokey’s and Cats), he is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.As an artist, he was the lead voice and co-writer for Wet Dreams, on Universal’s cutting edge label, Twisted records. In reviewing their debut release, “Rain” Larry Flick of Billboard Magazine raved, “Soulful star-powered vocals!” The subsequent single “Sunrise” was received with international critical acclaim and, by the end of its first week in the stores, was among the Top 40 selling records in America (Billboard Maxi Singles).In 1999 Ken Ard’s image became as recognizable as his voice, after modeling underwear for the national print ad campaign, LET ‘EM KNOW YOU’RE JOCKEY; The launch was a brilliant New York media stunt, where Grey Advertising unveiled a thirty by seventy foot billboard perched high above Time Square.Ken’s celebrated charisma has been intensified over the years by playing principle parts opposite notably accomplished entertainment icons, such as: Anthony Quinn in the European cult film, Seven Servants: Patti Labelle in Geoffrey Holder’s revival of House of Flowers: and, Gregory Hines in George C Wolfe’s Broadway musical smash hit, Jelly’s Last Jam. As well as his debut performance at the age of 17 with the legendary Jazz vocalist, the one and only Jon Hendricks of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Fame in Mr. Hendricks award winning show 'Evolution of the Blues at San Francisco's historical Golden Gate theater. Ken has also performed with such notable artist as Gladys Knight, Gloria Gainer, Lou Rawls, Ben E. King, renowned folk singer Odetta, country western star Pam Tillis and pop rocker Rick Springfield.If you have good eyes you can see Ken in the star-studded ensemble cast of the 2002 Best Picture Oscar winning cinematic version of Chicago for Miramax Pictures, staring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifa and Richard GereKen is currently living in the Netherlands and performing throughout Europe with his smokin' jazz Trio with The incredibly talented 'Professor' Rembrandt Frerichs at the helm on the keys. Ken has also performed with several big bands such as The Dizzy All Star Jazz Orchestra (Goes Sinatra in Dizzy's Rotterdam), The Holland Big band conducted by Loet van der Lee (in Toomler & Dr. Anton Philips zaal) and The Magogo Chamber Orchestra/Tilburg Big band (Tribute to Broadway in the Conertgebouw Tilburg). Other noteworthy performances include Dutch Jazz for New Orleans w/ Dolf de Vries and Harry Emmery (the Concertgebouw) International Jazz Festival “Astana Blues” (the new Republic Kazakhstan) Featured guest artist at Pia Beck’s 80th Birthday Party w/ Dolf de Vries (the Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin) Featured guest artist at Joop Braakhekke’s 65th Birthday Party w/ Rob van Kreeveld (Le Garage) Sunday night Jazz with Rene van Beeck solo Concert (Cristofori) w/ Rob van Kreeveld and Erik Kooger. Be on the lookout for Ken's first long overdue solo CD in the fall of 2008 ____________________________________________________________ _______________Ken Ard Live @ The Water Front in Almere with Rembrandt Frerichs Trio "Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You" ____________________________________________________________ _______________