Kenneth Gill

My name is Kenneth Gill, known as KG to some. I am a trombonist, band director, music pedagogue, composer, arranger, and producer. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan; that is where my musical career began. 

Growing up, my father often told me about his early musical endeavors and exposed me to his favorite musicians. The first trombonist that he let me hear was Wayne Henderson of the Jazz Crusaders. His beautiful sound sparked an interest in my mind and desire to play the trombone. As soon as the opportunity presented itself to join the school band, I took it. My father took me to purchase my first trombone at Hewitt’s Music store and I joined the William Ruddiman Middle School band. 

I later attended the Detroit School of Arts before earning a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Howard University and a Master of Music degree from Kent State University. While at Howard University, I was exposed regularly to the lectures of Donald Byrd, Grady Tate and other legendary musicians and pedagogues. It was common for jazz experts and other in demand musicians to walk into the Howard University Jazz Ensemble rehearsals. Those formative years had an indelible impact on me. 

Since completing my education, I have been charting the course for my own music endeavors through teaching, composing, and conducting research on diverse topics within the musical realm. In 2015, I released a single entitled Work in the Morning and in 2019 an LP entitled The Good News. 

As an in-demand trombonist, I have recorded and performed with various artists and ensembles. In addition to keeping a full schedule as a working musician, I serve as a certified music educator in Michigan schools while pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation from the University of Michigan, also working as a graduate student instructor. 

Some notable artists with whom I have graced the stage include: The Four Tops, Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling, Darius Rucker, Marcus Belgrave, Gerald Wilson, Grady Tate, Donald Byrd, Clark Terry, Yusef Lateef, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Gladys Knight, El DeBarge, Boyz II Men, Tori Kelly, Martha Reeves, Ray Chew, Les Nubians, Jennifer Holiday, Mutiny, Mike Phillips, and more.