Kenny Washington Quartet

Bay Area favorite Kenny Washington returns to Keys Jazz Bistro with his quartet, bringing what the venue calls "concert thrills and spills" to the intimate Broadway setting. The San Francisco-based vocalist has earned recognition as "the superman of the Bay Area jazz scene" (SF Chronicle) and has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and inventive scatting.

A native of New Orleans, Washington brings a gospel foundation to his jazz artistry, having grown up singing in church and playing saxophone in school bands. His musical journey took him through Xavier University and nine years with the U.S. Navy Band, performing internationally across the U.S., Asia, Russia, and Australia before settling in the Bay Area. His versatility spans traditional and contemporary jazz, classical, rhythm-and-blues, and pop influences.

Washington's vocal style draws comparisons to the greats — Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Gregory Porter — with a four-octave range that showcases liquid tone on ballads and rapid-fire, passionate scat singing informed by his saxophone background. His intonation is so precise that reviewers note it becomes apparent if the piano isn't perfectly tuned. The performance experience blends swing-era classics and jazz standards from Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Miles Davis, and Frank Sinatra, with songs like "Bewitched," "Just One of Those Things," "All Blues," and "What a Difference a Day Makes."

The vocalist has shared stages with jazz luminaries including Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, appearing alongside Gregory Porter and Paula West. His international resume includes performances in Japan, Russia, Scotland, Shanghai, Denmark, and Mongolia, with festival appearances at Monterey Jazz Festival and San Jose Jazz Festival.

Reviewers describe Washington's live performances as featuring "entspannte Swing- und Bebop-Interpretationen" (relaxed swing and bebop interpretations) with the ability to give beautiful jazz and swing classics an emotional touch. His quartet delivers pulsing arrangements without excessive experimentation, creating what one critic called "smarte Unterhaltungsmusik" — smart entertainment music that transfers timeless emotions into accessible jazz.