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Kim Pensyl

Kim Pensyl is a prolific jazz recording artist, composer and arranger who has twice been named one of Billboard’s Top-20 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Year. A pianist and trumpeter, he has had four Top-10 albums on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart. He has recorded with jazz legends such as Toots Thielemans, and modern greats like Joey Calderazzo and Bob Mintzer. He has performed at such esteemed jazz venues as The Blue Note and Blues Alley and toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra and Acoustic Alchemy. He has more than 100 published works recorded and over 150 compositions and arrangements in his catalog. Kim performs around Cincinnati and Central Ohio in various groups. In addition to his new trombone and piano composition premier in the fall of 2010, Kim has had two other premiers. In March of 2010 a new sax quartet was premiered at the North American Saxophone Alliance conference in Georgia and a new three movement brass quintet was premiered at the International Trumpet Guild conference in Sydney, Australia in July of 2010. In addition, he writes and performs with the Faculty Jazztet and guest artists at CCM, like Dave Liebman, Arturo Sandavol, Wynton Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Terri Lyne Carrington, Rufus Reid, John Clayton, and Mulgrew Miller among others. Kim performs with Phil DeGreg and is also a member of the Blue Wisp Big Band, Pat Kelly’s Psycho Acoustic Orchestra, and Carmon DeLeone’s New Studio Big Band. Kim is an associate professor of jazz studies at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

Awards

Career Highlights: “Pensyl Sketches #1” (1989) #3 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart #2 on Radio & Records NAC Chart #6 on Gavin AA Chart ASCAP Best New Jazz Writer #10 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year “Pensyl Sketches #2” (1990) #5 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart #3 on Radio & Records NAC Chart #9 on Radio & Records Contemporary Jazz Chart #3 on Gavin AA Chart #16 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year “Pensyl Sketches #3” (1991) #9 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart Top 10 at Radio & Records and Gavin N. A. R. M. Jazz Album of the Year “Three Day Weekend” (1992) #3 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart Top 10 at Radio & Records and Gavin “Eyes of Wonder” (1993) #16 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart “Jazz Voices” (1996) WOSU-TV’s award winning concert video

Kim Pensyl & Phil DeGreg: Melodious Monk

Read "Melodious Monk" reviewed by Greg Simmons

by Greg Simmons
September 10, 2011

At some point or another, it seems, every jazz musician takes up the challenge of interpreting Thelonious Monk. It must be an unbearable temptation to try to bring some perceived new angle to such a distinct set of compositions, especially when those compositions are so inextricably intertwined with Monk's odd playing style. As if responding to that ancient query about why someone would climb Mount Everest, with the inevitable “because it's there," trumpeter Kim Pensyl and his partner, pianist Phil ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five with Kim Pensyl

by Kim Pensyl
July 2, 2011

Meet Kim Pensyl: Kim Pensyl is a prolific jazz recording artist, composer and arranger who has twice been named one of Billboard's Top-20 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Year. A pianist and trumpeter, he has had four Top-10 albums on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. He has recorded with jazz legends such as Toots Thielemans, and modern greats like Joey Calderazzo and Bob Mintzer. He has performed at such esteemed jazz venues as The Blue Note and Blues Alley ...

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Recording

Kim Pensyl and Phil DeGreg's "Melodious Monk"

Source: Michael Ricci
June 21, 2011

Does the world need another recording of the music of Thelonious Monk? Absolutely! And the world will be a better place because of this one. Monk's genius showed through in his brilliant performances, his moods and emotions, but mostly in his timeless compositions. A master of complex musical structures and perfectly placed notes, his work influenced a generation of composers. The collaboration between Kim Pensyl and Phil DeGreg pays tribute to Monk's melodies in this beautiful collection. Pensyl's arrangements are ...
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Event

Everett Greene, The Kim Pensyl Trio: A Heritage of Love

Source: All About Jazz
February 13, 2006

A concert to benefit the Rev. Phale D. Hale Fund for Alzheimer's Care at Heritage Day Health Centers. Performances by The Kim Pensyl Trio and Everett Greene, internationally known jazz, blues and gospel vocalist.

Saturday, March 25, 2006, 7:00 pm. The King Arts Complex 867 Mt. Vernon Avenue Columbus, Ohio

Tickets $25.00 each or $20.00 each for purchases of 5 or more by calling Heritage Day Health Centers at 614-236-0586 or stopping by The ...
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