Scott Kinsey

Widely known as one of the most skilled keyboard players of his generation, Scott Kinsey is also one of the foremost interpreters of Joe Zawinul’s rich musical legacy. As musical director of the Zawinul Legacy Band, Kinsey has delivered electrifying performances in celebration of Zawinul’s groundbreaking work with Weather Report and the Zawinul Syndicate. On We Speak Luniwaz, his Whirlwind Recordings debut, Kinsey brings his expertise to bear on re-imaginings of seven scintillating Zawinul compositions, plus one by Wayne Shorter and two originals. Joined by electric bass phenom Hadrien Feraud, saxophone/flute master Katisse Buckingham and Hungarian drummer Gergo Borlai, this accomplished crew generates sparkling energy and percolating grooves on entrancing Zawinul fare. A prolific composer and imaginative improviser, Kinsey has been the secret weapon in groups like Tribal Tech with Scott Henderson, Gary Willis and Kirk Covington (from 1992’s Illicit to 2012’s X), Human Element with Matthew Garrison, Tunçboyaciyan and drummer Gary Novak (2011’s self-titled debut and 2018’s You Are In You) and more recently the acclaimed ARC Trio, with Haslip and Borlai. As a leader, he has presided over 2006’s Kinesthetics and 2016’s Near Life Experience, as well as No Sleep in 2018. Kinsey has collaborated with the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alphonso Johnson, Robben Ford, Dennis Chambers, John McLaughlin, Peter Erskine, Bill Evans, Oz Noy, Tim Lefebvre, Thundercat, Flying Lotus and others.