As a boy, Kenny Green developed an
eclectic taste in music, initially leaning toward Led
Zeppelin and the Beatles, and later embracing a broad range
of rock music, traditional folk music and Jewish music.
Kenny's first jobs in music utilized his evolving musical
performances in summer camp settings, as a camp counselor.
Years later, when the temple that he attended as as a boy
needed new musical leadership, Kenny was eager to continue
the tradition that previous director Cantor Klepper had left
behind. Though still in high school, Kenny became the
accompanist for all religious services.
After graduating high school and spending a year studying
jazz guitar at Shenandoah College and Conservatory of music,
Kenny entered the burgeoning field of children's and family
music. He quickly established himself as one of the premiere
family musicians in the New York City, tri-state area. In
addition to his ever-present guitar, Kenny became an
accomplished performer on such instruments as banjo,
dulcimer, mandolin, mandola, and cittern. Despite many
requests to return to the field of Jewish music, Kenny felt
like he had found a home performing for children and their
families.
Eventually however, Kenny felt he could include the realm of
Jewish song in his professional life and in 1992 Kenny accepted a position as music
teacher at Mt. Kisco's Bet Torah synagogue. By 1995 he was
booked to capacity while, at the same time, continuing his
success as a secular family musician. It was at this time
that he began formal study of the art of Jewish song leading
with some of the world's leading experts in the field,
including composer Debbie Friedman, Cantor Jeff Klepper,
Rabbi Joe Black, cantorial soloist Julie Silver, Maestro
Shimon Cohen, entertainer Donny Maseng and recording artist
Fran Avni.
Currently, Kenny
Green performs his unique style of song leading and
interactive storytelling at over one hundred shows a year in
both the secular and Jewish worlds. He runs music programs
in a number of daycare facilities, nursery schools, summer
camps and Hebrew schools. Most recently, Kenny has helped to
found the Westchester Klezmer Program, Inc. by becoming its
musical director. This not-for-profit organization is the
largest of its kind in the the world.
Kenny Green lives in the suburbs of
New York City with his lovely wife and their beautiful
daughter. He is at work on his third
album of family music, as well as his first of Jewish music. |
