Pianist, saxophonist Kamau Kenyatta currently resides in San Diego, CA where he is a tenured lecturer at the University of California’s Jazz Studies Department. He was honored with the prestigious Barbara J. and Paul D. Saltman Distinguished Teaching Award at UCSD in May 2009.
Originally from Detroit, his versatility comes from his early exposure to a vast array of musical styles. Kamau has worked with jazz greats such as Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, Donald Byrd and Jim Pepper. World tours have taken him to over 20 countries and include stints with Donald Byrd, Jesus Christ Superstars’ Carl Anderson, The Supremes, SWV, Silk, and New Kids on The Block.
Kamau has also collaborated with Hubert Laws in writing the score for “Small Steps, Big Strides†a Fox network documentary concerning the history of African-American film. He has also written and supervised music for “The Dawn At My Back,†a Sundance Film Festival award-winning interactive DVD-ROM memoir. He is the former musical director for the San Diego International House of Blues’ “Blues Schoolhouse,†a program for the education and entertainment of middle-school students.
His most recent project “Celebrating Neruda,†a collaboration with vocalist Coral Thuet, intertwines dance, Latin American music, and the poetry of the Chilean genius, Pablo Neruda. This small ensemble piece has been enthusiastically received at colleges from coast to coast.
“Destiny,†his most recent recording as a leader, was released in the spring of 2007. It features guest artist Hubert Laws.
"Destiny" is available at: cdbaby.com/cd/kamaukenyatta
"Fingerprint" by Jason Robinson - featuring Kamau Kenyatta on piano and soprano sax is available at: circumventionmusic.com
Visual art featured on this site: Thinkers II ("Destiny" cover) and Elevated Thoughts by Wiz Kudowor - courtesy of african-encounters.com