Kenny Wheeler
b. Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, 14 January 1930, Toronto, Canada. Sometimes known as Weeny Keller, this outstanding jazz composer, trumpet, cornet and flgelhorn player is one of the shyest and most self-effacing artists imaginable. Buddy Rich once said "show me a humble man and I'll show you a nonentity" which must make Wheeler the world's most respected and influential musical nonentity. Major figures from jazz and improvised music, such as John Surman and Evan Parker, have queued up to work with him since the 60s and continue to do so; witness the line-ups he assembled for Orchestra UK and the Kenny Wheeler Big Band at the start of the 90s. He learned cornet at the age of 12 and studied trumpet and harmony at Toronto Conservatory. He moved to London in 1952, mainly working in big bands such as Roy Fox and Vic Lewis. From 1959-65 he was in the John Dankworth band, but also played with the groups of Tubby Hayes and Joe Harriott.
Listen to Kenny Wheeler
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2008) Gnu High
- (2000) Gnu High
- (2000) Angel Song
- (2000) Music For Large & Small Ensembles
- (2000) The Widow In The Window
- (1999) A Long Time Ago
- (1975) Gnu High
- (0000) Around 6
Top Tracks
- Gnu Suite
- Smatter
- Heyoke
- Kind Of Gentle
- The Long Time Ago Suite
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