Rodney Kendrick Biography

Early Life & Education

Rodney Kendrick is well-known American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and producer. He is best known as a “hard-swinging player and composer with a delightful Monkish wit and drive.” He belongs to African-American ethnicity and holds an American nationality.

The 56-years-old Rodney was born in Philadelphia and raised in Miami, where his parents moved soon after Kendrick's birth. His father, James “Jimmy Kay” Kendrick, is a pianist who worked with saxophonist Illinois Jacquet for 7 years. His mother is Juet, a gospel singer.

Rodney attended high school in Miami, Florida. He grew up in a musical, and Pentecostal church family.

Rodney’s Career 1970s and 1980s

At the age of 18, Kendrick turned professional, touring and playing keyboards with R&B and funk acts. He traveled internationally with Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, George Clinton and James Brown.

At 21, Rodney started to focus on jazz, moving to New York City in 1981. He played keyboards for artists, including Freddie Hubbard, Terence Blanchard, Stanley Turrentine, J. J. Johnson, Clark Terry, and others. His teacher was pianist Barry Harris, who tutored him for more than 20 years.

Rodney cities to Sun Ra and Randy Weston as influences. In the mid-1990s, he served as Abbey Lincoln's musical leader for 7 years.

Career(1990s-2000s)

In 1994, Rodney signed a contract with Verve Records, who issued his debut, “The Secrets of Rodney Kendrick," and after a year later the follow-up, “Dance World Dance” in 1995, recording features Kendrick's compositions as well as his arranging skills.

Both these collections feature a range of musicians, from the smooth soul jazz saxophonist Houston Person to post-bop cornetist Graham Haynes, South African tenorist Bheki Mseleku among its guest artist, and alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe.

Kendrick released “We Don't Die, We Multiply” in 1997, included his original compositions. One composition, "Led Astray," is by his spouse Rhonda. On a few tracks, Dewey Redman played the saxophone.

Rodney also dropped few albums such as a solo piece entitled “Thank You” (2002), a duo-piano piece with his tutor Randy Weston.

He even worked with his wife on an album titled “Rhonda Ross Live: Featuring Rodney Kendrick” in 2002, and also a venture with his father, Jimmy Kay, titled “Black is Back” in 2006.

Personal Life

The handsome jazz pianist Rodney Kendrick is a married man and father of one son. He married an actress, Rhonda Ross Kendrick on 13 September 1996. The lovable couple welcomed their son, Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick on 7 August 2009 and is the only child. 

Besides this, Rodney has not been involved in any love affairs. He is living happily with his wife and son. More than 20-years of marriage, the couple have the same love and care with no signs of divorce.

Net Worth

The multi-talented American jazz Rodney Kendrick has a projected net worth of millions of dollars. He earned good amount of money through his musical career and his hard work.