Kenney Polson Biography

Jazz saxophonist Kenney Polson is a world traveler whose been to over 50
countries, spreading the gospel of jazz and collaborating with many musicians.

His latest work as a recording artist, Moving Forward is in preparation to be released. He has decided to collaborate with a couple of producers on this project. Chris “Big Dog” Davis and Bob Baldwin have helped to add another level of musicianship to Kenney’s music. In addition to these producers, Kenney has had a good time with musicians who have added to the fun. Marlon McClain, Kevin Toney, Bruce Conte, Fred Wesley, and Tom Browne have contributed to Moving Forward. The project will be released this coming summer.

He was fortunate to complete successful tours in France and Hawaii before 2020 pandemic
travel restrictions set in, then turned his attention to completing a new album; Colors of
Brazil was released in early 2021 on Rosetta records.

In his recording Colors of Brazil, he allows his love of Brazilian music to permeate his smooth jazz sound. Some of Polson’s happiest and most formative years were spent in Rio de Janeiro. He lived in the Ipanema neighborhood for five years and had the opportunity to perform
and record with some of the city’s finest musicians. Marinho Boffa, trumpeter Paulinho
Trompete, the late trumpeter Marcio Montarroyos, and the late composer/bassist Nico Assumpção were among them. Polson brought jazz and funk to the project. His Brazilian colleagues contributed intoxicating styles such as samba, partido/alto, samba/funk and afoxé. Four tracks were recorded in Brazil and six in the U.S.

Polson’s high charting 2019 album For Lovers Only merged smooth jazz and R&B. His special guest on the CD were Tom Grant, Michael Henderson, Bruce Conte, Fred Wesley and
As Jeff Becker writes for Jazz Sensibilities, Kenney Polson is clearly “an accomplished crossover
artist.” While adept at mixing genres and eagerly absorbing aspects of other cultures,
Polson has a strong foundation in American jazz; he earned a master’s degree in jazz
composition and arranging from Howard University. Kenney has a total of 5 college degrees!