Kenny Elliott, Drums
Elliott playing drums at the age of 9 studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, IL with percussionist James Dutton and drummer Harold Jones. Joined the Musicians Union Local 10-208 at age 12 and began working professionally. His first touring and recording experience was at age 13 with the James Dutton Rosewood Rebellion an (all percussion ensemble). Even with a heavy diet of high school orchestra & marching band, ROTC drill,drum and bulge corp Kenny started doing local gigs in Chicago playing all types of music. Under the personal mentoring by orchestra leader/drummer Red Saunders and King Kolax, he was exposed to many greats performing at the famed "Regal Theatre" in Chicago and learned to play and have some business knowledge. Playing Jazz,Pop, R&B, Fusion, Rock and work in the Theater. While attending college at the American Conservatory Elliott began to also teach there and do recording sessions as a staff drummer for Brunswick Records. Doing sessions with producer Carl Davis and Sonny Sanders with little known but great bassist "Bernard Reed". Kenny has recorded for artists like Walter Jackson, Syl Johnson, Aorta and Thunderfunk Symphony. Working around Chicago with pianist Ken Chaney, guitarist Phil Upchurch, Pete Cosey and bassist Louis Satterfield with the "Pharoahs", Zoot Simms, "Lil" Harding Armstrong, Fred Anderson, Muhal Richard Abrams and Chico Freeman. After a move to Los Angeles in 1977 joined local 47 and began working with the late organist Johnny"Hammond"Smith, pianist Henry Butler and in saxophonist Benny Maupin's band "Pulsation" while working as a staff drummer for the publishing company Jobete Music and Fantasy Records. For producers "Bumps" Blackwell, Henry Crosby, H.B.Barnum, Herb Jimmerson, Monk Higgins, Alan Abrahams, Chuck Jackson. Recording with artist such as Syreeta Wright, Rance Allen, High Energy, Ren Woods, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Carl Anderson, Staple Singers, The Ink Spots, Martha Reeves, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Carl Anderson, Pockets, Paradise Express, Vicki Wynans, David T. Walker, Tavares to name a few. Working as house musician on tv shows and concerts Elliott has worked with Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Al Green, Lionel Richie, En'Vogue, Joe Cocker, Lee Greenwood, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Jackson Jr., Helen Reddy, Nikki Yanofsky, Freddie Jackson, Jonathan Butler & many others. He has toured with The Impressions, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Linda Hopkins, Lucy Arnez, Billy Preston, Lou Rawls and the Count Basie Orchestra. Elliott currently works with The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, The Elliott Caine Sextent and Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.