Kenneth B.

I am a professional drummer and drum instructor. Since an early age, I have been surrounded by music, in particular jazz, funk, and R&B. My father, Memphis jazz pianist Donald B, was a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and has performed with and produced many other jazz icons, including Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett. As a result of my musical roots, I began my own career in funk, blues, rock, R&B, and jazz styles. As a jazz drummer, I performed at numerous clubs and festivals in the United States, Paris, France, and Clermont-Farrand, France, including the Festival Jazz en Tete, Knoxville Jazz Festival, and the Sunside Sunset Jazz Club. During these performances, I have had the opportunity to play with jazz greats, including Warren Wolf, Tom Harrell, Charnett Moffett Essiet Essiet, Kenny Garrett, Ravi Coltrane, Wallace Roney, Bob Hurst, Rudy Bird,Greg Tardy, and Baptiste Herbin. I have also led and co-led bands, including Aftah Party, a 10-piece R&B and funk band that was named winner of the 2010 SoundOff Competition in Knoxville, TN. Throughout my performing career, I've recorded with my own bands and appeared on two professional jazz recordings, including "Fast Forward From The Past" (Donald Brown) and "Born To Be Blue" (Donald Brown). In addition to performance, I devote much of my time to private drum instruction. I enjoy teaching and am passionate about designing music education that balances technique and practice with fun and enjoyment. In my own career, this balance inspires me to continue the lifelong journey of learning, while finding enjoyment in each new playing and teaching opportunity.