Artist: Kenny Garrett

Kenny Garrett is an American post-bop jazz  musician and composer who gained recognition in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and for his time with Miles Davis's band. His primary instruments are alto and soprano saxophone and flute. Since 1985, he has pursued a solo career. 

Kenny Garrett was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1960, and his career as a saxophonist took off when he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra, under the leadership of Mercer Ellington, in 1978. Garrett also played and recorded with Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw before developing his career as a leader. 

In 1984, Garrett recorded his first album as a bandleader, Introducing Kenny Garrett, on the  CrissCross label. In the year, he became the founding member of Out of the Blue which was produced by Blue Note Records. In 1986, Garrett became a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. 

He signed to the Warner Bros. Records label, and beginning with Black Hope, in 1992, and recorded eight albums for them. 

Garrett joined the "Five Peace Band" of Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Christian McBride and Brian Blade/Vinnie Colaiuta around 2008. The CD Five Peace Band – Live won a Grammy Award in 2010. 

In 2011, Garrett was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts.Garrett also was the Commencement Speaker for graduates. 

 In 2012, Garrett received a Soul Train Award  nomination for his 2012 studio album Seeds from the Underground in the Best Traditional Jazz Artist/ Group category. Also in 2012, Grammy nominations for  Seeds from the Underground followed in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Improvised Jazz Solo categories, and Seeds From The Underground  received a NAACP Image Award nomination in the Outstanding Jazz Album category. In 2013, Garrett won an Echo Award in the Saxophonist of the Year category.