Raymond Huston Kennedy Jr. (January 6, 1957 – May 28, 2015) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He was a member of John Pizzarelli's trio for more than a decade and recorded more than 10 albums under his own name.
Kennedy was born and grew up in Maplewood, Missouri, in 1957.[1] His father was a bandleader, trumpeter and vocalist in the 1930s and 1940s in St. Louis.[2] His mother worked in the Maplewood music store that his parents owned.[2] Kennedy had two siblings: Tom, who became a bassist; and Wanda, who also became a musician.[2] With his brother, he formed The Ray Kennedy Trio at the age of 13, and they played together, including with their sister as vocalist, for five years.[2] According to a biographer of Ruby Braff, Ray and his brother made a recording together in 1972.[3]
Kennedy moved to New York City in his early twenties.[2] He was pianist and arranger for the John Pizzarelli Trio for almost 13 years,[4][5] after joining in 1993.[6] With the John Pizzarelli Trio, Kennedy played with the New York Pops and Boston Pops orchestras, played for Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and toured internationally.[2] Kennedy first recorded with Pizzarelli in 1994, after making two recordings for Randy Sandke.[3] In 1997 he was part of the cast for the musical Dream.[7] In 2003 he recorded a piano duo album with Dick Hyman.[8]
Around 2005, Kennedy, according to John Pizzarelli, "began expressing a desire to get off the road and spend more time with his family".[5] Kennedy developed multiple sclerosis symptoms in 2006.[2] His career had ended by 2013, and he was living in a nursing home.[2]Kennedy died at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, on May 28, 2015.[2] He was survived by his wife, Eve Langner, and two daughters, Lauren and Brielle.[2]
"Kennedy was known for his finger technique and his ability to swing and improvise versions of well-known jazz works."[2]
An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.