Robin Kenyatta | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Prince Haynes |
| Born | March 6, 1942 Moncks Corner, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 26, 2004 (aged 62) Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Alto saxophone,soprano saxophone,flute |
Robin Kenyatta (March 6, 1942 – October 26, 2004)[1] was an Americanjazzalto saxophonist.[2]
Born Robert Prince Haynes inMoncks Corner, South Carolina, Kenyatta grew up inNew York City and began playing the saxophone at the age of 14. He was mostly self-taught, learning alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones and flute, but received encouragement and help from professional musicians such asJohn Handy.[3]
Kenyatta joined theUnited States Army in 1962 and played in a military band for two years. Upon being discharged, he returned to New York and adopted the name Kenyatta as a tribute toJomo Kenyatta, the Kenyan anti-colonial activist, and began pursuing a career as a professional musician.[3]
In 1964,Bill Dixon heard Kenyatta and invited him to participate in theOctober Revolution in Jazz. On December 28 of that year, Kenyatta played as a member of the Bill Dixon Quintet as part of the "Four Days in December" concert series at Judson Hall, substituting forGiuseppi Logan, who was injured.[4] According to Dixon biographer Benjamin Young, "Kenyatta became such an effective part of the group as Logan was recovering that the latter never rejoined Dixon's outfit."[4] During this time, he metJohn Coltrane, who praised his playing. Kenyatta performed with Dixon's group again at the Contemporary Center from March 19 to March 20, 1965,[5] and with theJazz Composer's Orchestra at the same location from April 9 to April 11 of that year.[6] He also appeared on the Jazz Composer's Orchestra albumCommunication, recorded on April 10.
Later that year, Kenyatta made his first recorded appearance on the albumPortrait In Soul by pianist and composerValerie Capers. In 1966, he appeared onSonny Stitt's albumDeuces Wild, as well asRoswell Rudd'sEverywhere and Dixon'sIntents and Purposes. Kenyatta releasedUntil, his first album as a leader, the following year.[3]
In 1969, Kenyatta moved toParis, France, where he continued to perform and record, releasingBeggars & Stealers andGirl from Martinique under his own name. In 1972, he moved back to New York, and recorded three albums that were more mainstream than his previous releases –Gypsy Man,Terra Nova, andStompin' at the Savoy, forAtlantic Records. He also released a version of the theme from the 1972 filmLast Tango in Paris during this time.[1] In the mid-1970s, he moved toLausanne, Switzerland, where he taught music at the Ecole de Jazz Musique Actuelle and founded the Hello Jazz Music School and shop. Throughout the 1970s, he recorded as a sideman forAlan Silva,Andrew Hill,Magma,Oscar Brown,Ted Curson,Sam Rivers, andArchie Shepp.[3]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Kenyatta performed at major jazz festivals withDizzy Gillespie,Paul Simon,George Benson,B.B. King,The Isley Brothers, and other major artists. Kenyatta also continued to record under his own name, trying "to find a comfortable middle ground between fusion, instrumental pop, and his hard bop and free music roots."[2]
In 2001, he moved back to New York and commuted to a teaching position atBentley University inWaltham, Massachusetts.[3] In 2003, he released a funk and blues-influenced album titledCool Blue.
In 2004, Kenyatta flew to Lausanne for a performance, but died in his sleep on October 26.[1]
WithOscar Brown Jr.
WithValerie Capers
WithTed Curson
WithBill Dixon
WithAndrew Hill
WithSam Rivers
WithRoswell Rudd
WithArchie Shepp
WithAlan Silva
WithSonny Stitt
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