Ken Rhodes

Ken Rhodes"Of all the pianists here, Ken Rhodes is the only one who does standards and the one who plays most in the Jazz tradition with a taste for Bud Powell-like speed and dexterity. He proves on "Will You Still Be Mine" and Powell's Ballads like "Felicity" and "Baee show he has equal ability on the delicate side. "Assignments From A Past Life" by bassist Matt Kendrick spotlights the trio in an efusive R'n B mood while "Antonio" is a rich samba melody. There's even a bit of jittery free playing in "Pierre's Nightmare" that Rhodes momentarily playing a pipe organ. This CD is a traditional but nicely varied."
        - Review of 'Live at Reynolds House Museum of American Art' publushed by Cadence Magazine, July 2001

"From their home base in North Carolina, pianist Ken Rhodes (who's performed with jazz luminaries throughout this country and Europe), bassist Matt Kendrick and drummer Thomas Taylor Jr. have toured the Southeast as a trio for more than five years. Live at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art documents a concert at what was once one of the Winston-Salem, N.C., residences of the R. J. Reynolds family (of tobacco renown) but has since been converted into an art museum. The setting was ideal for the intimate sound of this excellent mainstream modern ensemble. The somewhat staccato touch that Rhodes sometimes employs speaks with fine clarity, as does Taylor's crisp cymbal work. Their nicely balanced program includes bright, straightahead numbers, jazz waltzes, Latins, a jazz-pop arrangement and even an exotic piece written to feature the house's 1912 Aeolian pipe organ. Rhodes composed four of the charts and Kendrick one, with most of the rest by the likes of Matt Dennis, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim and Bud Powell.The performers consistently play at a high level, both in their ensemble work and in their solos. High points are local trumpeter Al Neese's medium up "Blue and Silver," which makes one suspect the "Silver" might be Horace, and Powell's blazing "Hallucinations", which sets a rollicking groove that doesn't let up."
        - Reviewed by David Franklin in the CD Reviews section of the November 2001 issue "Jazz Times" Magazine. Live at the Reynolda House Museumof American Art

"..Ken Rhodes' powerful piano touch works wonders behind Chris' most listenable version of "The Great City"... and not enough can be said about Ken Rhodes' dynamic piano offerings..again, Rhodes' piano shines brilliantly, especially on a tremendously impactful intro to this piece...."
        -Frank Foster, Director, Count Basie Orchestra Review at "Chris Murrell-Reprise" CD Release 2004, Winston-Salem, NC

"Ken Rhodes is a well known jazz pianist with his own trio and many CDs with various artists. He is a staff member of the North Carolina School of the Arts. Highlights include work with Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Stitt, Bob Wilbur, the Bavarian Radio Big Band and many others. He has had a varied career in jazz and theater is the U.S. and Europe."
        -Review of Sammy Anflick Trio CD release 2004 at N+HC Greensboro "News and Record"

"...Winston-Salem's Ken Rhodes, a veteran player .... and one of the best and most well-versed pianists in the state..."
        -Review W.S. Journal- Relish Magazine, Jan 6, 2005

"Ken Rhodes is Winston-Salem's most ubiquitous jazz piano player. There is reason for that -he is also one of the best. He has played his share of blues, and he is well schooled in all manner of jazz-piano styles. He can solo for days,and still make you want to come back for more. He has released splendid discs under his own name, worked as a sideman for many of the Triad's best musicians, and still finds time to accompany students at the N.C. School of the Arts. Just sit him down, turn him loose and sit back. It's a guaranteed good time. Check him out with his quartet - fine musicians all..."
        -Ollie's Bakery Review August 11, 2005, Winston- Salem Journal

"Called a <<thoughtful modernist with erudition and wit>> by Chuck Berg (JazzTimes») pianist/composer Ken Rhodes was bom in Memphis and raised in Chicago. Currently a staff member of the North Carolina School of the Arts Ken is widely known as a veteran jazz pianist. He has played with many diverse artists including Mark Murphy, Sonny Stitt, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and Gerry Mulligan. While living in Germany in the l970's, Ken played with the Bavarian Radio Big Band, the Dusko Goykovich Quintet and worked in opera and theater, including a solo . harpsichord part in Igor Stravinsky's opera Tbe Rake's Progress. In August, 2005 the Wittston-Salem Journal reported that "Ken Rhodes is Winston-Salem's most ubiquitous jazz piano player. There is a reason for that. He is one of the best. He has played his share of blues and he is well-schooled in all manner of jazz piano styles." Matt Kendrick is a bandleader with five CDs and two-time winner of the NC State Arts Council's Jazz Composer's Fellowship. Recent appearances include engagements with Archie Shepp (with the late Jaki Byard) and a tour with Marian McPartland. Leading his own avant-garde Matt Kendrick Unit, he is a well-known figure in the southern jazz scene. Matt lived in New York for five years and has been a preferred bassist regionally since returning to the South in 1981.Matt has recently played concerts with Carl Fontana, Ernie Watts, and Joanne Brackeen. Matt also teaches improvisation and bass at Wake Forest University. John C.B. Wilson has a love for music that has been a constant evolution. Early interests in rock bands led to a fascination with European classical music at the North Carolina School of the Arts and later graduate studies in jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. Several long years of living in NewYork were made bearable by inspiring musical relationships. The ranks of those whom he has joined on the bandstand include Jon Hendricks. Milt Grayson, Joe Temperley, Junior Mance, and Cat Collins. Those of the younger generation include Larry Goldings, Stefon Harris, Ari Ambrose, Chris Potter, and Mark Turner. John has also played with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the AS-IS Ensemble. He teaches at Davidson College and accompanies dance at the North Carolina School of the Arts."
        -Review at the Concert of The Ken Rhodes Trio at Reynolda House, February 26, 2006