All About Jazz is celebrating Kenny Wheeler's birthday today!
Although resident in England since 1952 and often thought to be an English musician, Kenny Wheeler was born in Canada in 1930. He began playing in his hometown of St. Catherines, encouraged by his father, a trombonist. His formal studies include composition with Rodney Bennett and William Russo.
His earliest influences included Buck Clayton and Roy Eldrige but, by the time he left for London, he was looking towards bebop, Miles Davis and Fats Navarro particularly.
After his arrival in London, Wheeler balanced commercial dance band work with gigs alongside modernists like Joe Harriott... Read more.
