Since he released his debut album Afflictions and Remedies in 2015, Joe Kenney has been lauded as one of the most unique and innovative artists on the classical music scene. Garnering praise and press attention for his singular ability to flawlessly merge a variety of musical genres and styles, Kenney has a rare gift for blending classical music theory, jazz fusion, rock, soul, and hip-hop.
In the eight years since he began his career, he has released five critically acclaimed albums, all featuring both original compositions and transformative cover arrangements. His cover of the Twenty-One Pilots hit Stressed Out was hailed as “perfection” by DJ Wendy Rollins of WXPN and his 2020 multi-genre collaboration album, Forth, won a bronze medal in the online “Global Music Awards” competition and was featured on 85 stations in the US and Canada. Kenney’s 2022 solo piano album, Reflections on Inner Transformation, charted at #15 on the Zone Music Reporter Charts. Kenney has also built an incredible reputation as a live performer with his band, packing such esteemed venues as City Winery, World Café Live, Heritage, and SOUTH Jazz Club.
With his latest studio release Prevailing, Kenney has teamed up with violinist Hope Linton, a passionate and gifted musician and music educator who plays regularly with the Lancaster Symphony. A fellow West Chester University of Pennsylvania music performance alumnus, Hope has also just created her first patent-pending product in the music education space and is constantly innovating in an effort to make great violin and viola music accessible to as many ages and levels as possible. The result of this collaboration is a glorious and stirring piece, at once emotive and powerful.
Cinematic and sweeping, Prevailing is the first single on an upcoming album by Kenney and Linton. From the first note, Linton’s lyrical and rich violin playing merge perfectly with Kenney’s graceful and elegant piano. Inspired by an impromptu session Kenney posted on Tik Tok, Prevailing is the musical expression of the courage it takes to tackle fear and relentlessly pursue dreams. As Kenney explains, “In my life and career, that comes with embracing the unknowns of the music industry, trusting instincts and following my art, and continually challenging myself to level up as a performer, songwriter, and recording artist.”
In their first collaboration together, Kenney brings his gift for improvisation, and Hope is integral in fine-tuning ideas for creating a structure and arrangement that has an intentionality to match the spirit of the music. The process for this work and upcoming songs in the project involves re-listening to daily improvisations that Kenney posts on Tik-Tok, and Linton’s identifying bits and pieces worth honing in on and perfecting. Prevailing begins as a softly lilting piece and gains strength and emotion as Kenney and Linton perfectly complement each other.
The result of this union is a wholly unique, enchanting and heart-rending piece that draws listeners in from the first notes.
Joe Kenney Tour Dates:
February 3 – Time, Philadelphia, PA
February 4 – TBD Bar, Phoenixville, PA
February 7 – Nitro Bar, Reading, PA
February 9 – 118 North, Wayne, PA
February 17 – Rittenhouse Library Bar, Philadelphia, PA
February 18 – The Soundbank, Phoenixville, PA
February 24 – Heritage, Philadelphia, PA
March 17 – Rittenhouse Library Bar, Philadelphia, PA
April 14 – Full Tilt Brewing, Baltimore, MD
April 16 – Cat’s Eye Pub, Baltimore, MD
