Kenny Thompson

Guitar | Chicago, IL

Kenny Thompson is a Chicago-based jazz guitarist and composer. He draws influence from the whole lineage of jazz musicians, from swing era and traditional jazz to post-bop, fusion, and modern jazz. His playing is described as being soul-stirring, innovative and exciting, all while rooted in straight-ahead jazz traditions. Some of his biggest influences on the guitar include George Benson, Bobby Broom, Joe Pass, Jim Hall, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. He aims to keep one foot firmly planted in the rich musical traditions of jazz, with the other aiming for the future. His primary musical project is the Kenny Thompson Quartet, which showcases his compositions in a Tenor Sax, Guitar, Bass, and Drums format. These compositions can go from earthy and grounded to intense, kaleidoscopic, and modern at a moments notice.

With over a decade of deep musical roots in the Chicago jazz scene, Thompson has had the good fortune to work closely and perform with some of the finest, most passionate jazz musicians working today. Over the course of his career, he's played with artists such as organist Bobby Floyd, drummer Dennis Mackrel, trumpeter Sean Jones, vocalist Simone (daughter of Nina Simone), trumpeter Byron Stripling, trombonist John Fedchock, trumpeter Victor Garcia, baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, and many others. Additionally, he's played in the pit for off-broadway musical productions in Chicago, played the role of musical director for singer-songwriter acts, and toured with rock and jazz groups alike.

As an educator, Thompson believes that a focus on the fundamentals of the music and fundamentals of the guitar pave the pathway to mastery. He's studied with Frank Portolese, Mike Pinto, John Moulder, Scott Hesse, and many others. Through his studies, he's seen that all these masters of the music have certain things in common. His goal is to impart these skills onto his students so they may go forward in their musical journey with confidence and with the freedom to move in any which direction their ideas may lead them. He has taught private lessons since 2015, working at several high schools and after-school programs in and around Chicago with both guitarists and ensembles, and has taught many students independently.