Kevin Hays

Hays was born in New York City on May 1, 1968, the youngest of four children. He was initially interested in rock music and other things that he heard on the radio, and became more interested in jazz in his early teens. Initially self-taught, Hays later had lessons with Lou Stein, and attended several Interlochen Music Camps. Hays played locally from 1982. ==Later life and career==

Hays started playing in New York in 1985, His debut recording as a leader came in 1990, for the Japanese label Jazz City. During 1991 to 1993, he also recorded three albums for SteepleChase Records. In 2010–11, Hays performed and recorded duets with pianist Brad Mehldau. Also in 2011, Variations, a solo piano album that included interpretations of Robert Schumann, was released by Pirouet Records. Hays formed the New Day Trio, with Rob Jost on bass and Greg Joseph on drums, and also sang on their first release, New Day. This was followed around a year later by North. Hope, a duo album with Lionel Loueke, was released around 2017. ==Playing style==

"Hays has a linear style and a strong harmonic sense, and uses the pedal to produce a clipped sound, recalling the early work of Paul Bley." ==Discography==

As leader/co-leader As sideman With Bob Belden • Straight to My Heart: The Music of Sting (Blue Note, 1991) • ''Puccini's Turandot'' (Blue Note, 1993) • When the Doves Cry: The Music of Prince (Blue Note, 1994) • Shades of Blue (Blue Note, 1996) • Strawberry Fields (Blue Note, 1996) • Tapestry (Blue Note, 1997) • Black Dahlia (Blue Note, 2001) • Three Days of Rain (Sunnyside, 2006) With Steve Gadd • 2017: Steve Gadd Band (Victor, 2018) • 2019: At Blue Note Tokyo (Victor, 2021) – live With Benny Golson • 1991: Domingo (Dreyfus, 1992) • 1996: Up Jumped Benny (Arkadia Jazz, 1997) – live With Eddie Henderson • Inspiration (Milestone, 1995) – recorded in 1994 • Dark Shadows (Milestone, 1996) • Dreams of Gershwin (Key Stone, 1998) • Reemergence (Sharp Nine, 1999) • Oasis (Sirocco, 2001) • Precious Moment (Kind of Blue, 2006) With Chris Potter • 1992: Presenting Chris Potter (Criss Cross Jazz, 1993) • 1993: Sundiata (Criss Cross Jazz, 1995) • 2000: This Will Be (Storyville, 2001) – live • 2000: Gratitude (Verve, 2001) • 2002: Traveling Mercies (Verve, 2002) • 2002: Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside, 2004) With others • Jeff Ballard, Fairgrounds (Edition, 2018) • Ricardo Grilli, 1962 (Tone Rogue) • Vincent Herring, Dawnbird (Landmark, 1993) – recorded in 1991–92 • Joshua Redman, Joshua Redman (Warner Bros, 1993) • Mark Turner and Tad Shull, Two Tenor Ballads (Criss Cross Jazz, 2000) – recorded in 1994 ==References==