Kevin Hays

Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist, composer, and singer/songwriter Kevin Hays, is internationally recognized as one of the most original and compelling musicians of his generation. His many recordings have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times, as well as the “Coup de Coeur” award from the Académie Charles Cros (France).

Kevin has appeared on over 60 albums as a guest artist, recording with Chris Potter, Bill Stewart, Joshua Redman, Jeff Ballard, Nicholas Payton, and Al Foster, among others. Notable collaborations include a widely-acclaimed piano duo project with Brad Mehldau (Modern Music – Nonesuch), performances with James Taylor, Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, and Roy Haynes.

In addition to his celebrated work as pianist and composer, Kevin has become increasingly known as a gifted and expressive singer/songwriter. In 2015 he released the critically acclaimed recording New Day (Sunnyside), on which he performed his own songs and a riveting performance of the Jimmy Webb classic ‘Highwayman’.

In 2017 Hays joined the Steve Gadd Band. The group released their eponymous album which garnered a 2019 GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. He co-wrote several compositions with the other band members, and the album features Kevin’s own “Spring Song”, the sole vocal track.
Hope, a highly anticipated August 2019 release on Edition Records, will highlight the beauty of Kevin’s duets with Beninese guitarist Lionel Loueke, who came to the world’s attention through his stellar work with Herbie Hancock.