About Kenny Brooks

Kenny Brooks was inspired to play reed instruments from the age of 9. He grew up the SF Bay Area and studied saxophone with Hal Stein. Brooks went to the New England Conservatory (BM 1988), studying with George Garzone. Early career work included the Eddie Marshall band, Charlie Hunter band and his own project Alphabet Soup. In 2000 he joined the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir and his band RatDog. Brooks toured for 10 years with the rock legend. In 2007 he moved to NYC and can be heard at venues around town like Smalls, 55 Bar, Rockwood Music Hall and others. Kenny Brooks is a D’Addario artist.

Posts by Kenny Brooks:

A Killer 12-Key Workout Using Coltrane’s “Countdown” Transcription

Editor’s Note: Below is a powerful exercise shared by renowned sax professional Kenny Brooks. Thanks to the great saxophonist, David Valdez for putting us in touch with Kenny to get Kenny’s permission to include it here on the site. As a means of using amazing improvisational material to improve my ability to move around the horn swiftly [read more…]