Kenny Werner

After putting on stellar shows at two previous JazzFests, New York-based pianist Kenny Werner is always welcome in this town. With over two dozen albums as a leader and 50 as a sideman, few jazz artists can match him for breadth or finesse. His rare mixture of power, intensity, and lyrical introspection defines Werner as a keyboard master whose work with artists such as Archie Shepp, David Holland and Randy Brecker is always precise and poetic. Werner is currently touring with Brazilian vocalist Claudia Villela, an intelligent and seductive singer with a five-octave range and a strong commitment to improvised performance. Like Egberto Gismonti, Villela is one of those rare performers determined to push the Brazilian jazz tradition into exciting new areas. For a preview of what this dynamic duo can do, check out their Dream Tales CD.