Kevin Hays

Kevin Hays (born May 1, 1968) is an American jazz pianist and composer. He began playing in New York while still at high school and led his first record date in 1990. He has recorded more than twenty albums as leader or co-leader, including three each for SteepleChase and Blue Note Records. He led a long-standing trio with bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart, and has also sung with his New Day Trio of bassist Rob Jost and drummer Greg Joseph.

Early life Hays was born in New York City on May 1, 1968, the youngest of four children. He was initially interested in rock music and other things that he heard on the radio, and became more interested in jazz in his early teens. His debut recording as a leader came in 1990, for the Japanese label Jazz City. During 1991 to 1993, he also recorded three albums for SteepleChase Records. In 2010–11, Hays performed and recorded duets with pianist Brad Mehldau. Also in 2011, Variations, a solo piano album that included interpretations of Robert Schumann, was released by Pirouet Records. Hays formed the New Day Trio, with Rob Jost on bass and Greg Joseph on drums, and also sang on their first release, New Day. 1991 SweetEar SteepleChase 1991 Quintet, with Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Vincent Herring (soprano sax, alto sax), James Genus (bass), Joe Chambers (drums) 1991 Ugly Beauty SteepleChase 1992 Trio, with Larry Grenadier (bass), Jeff Williams (drums) 1996 Andalucia Blue Note 1997 Trio, with Ron Carter (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums) 2008 Live at Smalls Smalls Live 2008 Trio, with Doug Weiss (bass), Bill Stewart (drums); in concert 2009 Dawning Palmetto 2013 As Saffron; quintet, with Katayoun Goudarzi (vocals), Tim Ries (tenor sax, soprano sax, bass clarinet, Hungarian folk flute), Shujaat Khan (sitar, vocals), Abhiman Kaushal (tabla) 2016 North Sunnyside 2016 Trio, with Rob Jost (bass, ukulele), Greg Joseph (drums) 2016 Hope Newvelle (France) / Edition (UK) 2017 Duo, with Lionel Loueke (guitar, vocals) 2018 Where Are You Fresh Sound |2019 Trio, with Marc Miralta (drums), Mark Turner (tenor sax) 2019? Across The Sea Via Veneto Jazz 2019 Duo, with Chiara Izzi (composer, vocals) 2020 All Things Are Smoke Sessions 2021 Trio, with Ben Street (bass), Billy Hart (drums) 2023 Bridges Smoke Sessions 2023 Trio, with Ben Street (bass), Billy Hart (drums)

As sideman

With Bob Belden Straight to My Heart: The Music of Sting (Blue Note, 1991) Puccini's Turandot (Blue Note, 1993) When the Doves Cry: The Music of Prince (Blue Note, 1994) Shades of Blue (Blue Note, 1996) Strawberry Fields (Blue Note, 1996) Tapestry (Blue Note, 1997) Black Dahlia (Blue Note, 2001) Three Days of Rain (Sunnyside, 2006)

With Steve Gadd 2017: Steve Gadd Band (Victor, 2018) 2019: At Blue Note Tokyo (Victor, 2021) – live

With Benny Golson 1991: Domingo (Dreyfus, 1992) 1996: Up Jumped Benny (Arkadia Jazz, 1997) – live

With Eddie Henderson Inspiration (Milestone, 1995) – recorded in 1994 Dark Shadows (Milestone, 1996) Dreams of Gershwin (Key Stone, 1998) Reemergence (Sharp Nine, 1999) Oasis (Sirocco, 2001) Precious Moment (Kind of Blue, 2006)

With Chris Potter 1992: Presenting Chris Potter (Criss Cross Jazz, 1993) 1993: Sundiata (Criss Cross Jazz, 1995) 2000: This Will Be (Storyville, 2001) – live 2000: Gratitude (Verve, 2001) 2002: Traveling Mercies (Verve, 2002) 2002: Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside, 2004)

With others Jeff Ballard, Fairgrounds (Edition, 2018) Ricardo Grilli, 1962 (Tone Rogue) Vincent Herring, Dawnbird (Landmark, 1993) – recorded in 1991–92 Joshua Redman, Joshua Redman (Warner Bros, 1993) Mark Turner and Tad Shull, Two Tenor Ballads (Criss Cross Jazz, 2000) – recorded in 1994