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December 7, 2007 - Pianist Kenny Werner was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was something of a child prodigy and had the ability to imitate the styles of famous pianists of the day. Before he was a teenager, Werner had recorded a single and had performed on several local television programs. After high school, Werner attended the Manhattan School of Music and began working toward a classical performance degree. His interest in improvisation eventually won out, which led him to the freer atmosphere of the Berklee College of Music.

While at Berklee, Werner studied with pianist Madame Chaloff, a Boston institution and mentor to such players as Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett. Werner credits Chaloff with influencing both his piano playing and his thoughts on musical and creative expression. Werner left Boston for Brazil with a Berklee buddy, Victor Assis Brasil, brother of classical pianist Joao Assis Brasil. Time spent with Joao led Werner to more discoveries about expression and a deeper understanding of his own creative path.

Upon his return to New York, Werner braved gigs at weddings and bar mitzvahs while trying to break into the jazz scene. His earliest high-profile gigs included session recordings with Charles Mingus and later Archie Shepp, with whom he toured during the early '80s. Werner also put together his own trio in 1981 with drummer Tom Rainey and bassist Ratzo Harris. The group would spend the next 14 years honing its sound and picking up critical accolades along the way.

Werner's frequent and diverse collaborations have included sessions with the Mel Lewis Orchestra, Jaki Byard, Ron Carter, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Bobby McFerrin, Lee Konitz and John Scofield. Werner has maintained a special musical relationship with harmonica genius Toots Thielemans, and has also served as arranger and pianist for Broadway singer Betty Buckley since 1989.

In addition to his 24 albums as a leader, Werner has also gained recognition for his book, Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within, in which the thoughtful and ever-questing musician lays out his musical and creative philosophy. In 2006, Werner released his first album for Blue Note Records. Lawn Chair Society is an album of Werner originals, with an all-star quintet that includes sax player Chris Potter, trumpeter Dave Douglas, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade.