Show Info

Date

Saturday, June 27, 2015

2 Shows

8:00pm
10:15pm

Ticket Price

$7.00

Bio

Kitt Lyles is an upright and electric bassist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator from Greenville, SC currently residing in Chicago, IL. A graduate of Northwestern University (BM Jazz Studies, June 2013) he is well versed in a multitude of different music traditions and genres including Jazz, Blues, Latin, Rock, Funk, Bluegrass, Folk, and Classical. He has performed nationally at venues such as Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago, Snug Harbor in New Orleans, and Cliff Bells in Detriot and internationally as well touring Mexico, Puerto Rico, and China. 
Kitt Lyles began his music career in South Carolina at the age of 13 when he bought a bass in order to perform Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” in the talent show at his middle school. He hasn’t looked back since, discovering jazz at the Greenville Fine Arts Center in the 10th grade where he studied with former LA studio musician Steve Watson and not long after began his study of upright bass with Greenville Symphony Principal Bassist Ian Bracchitta. His passion for music led him to continue his studies with Ian Bracchitta at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. At UNCA he also had the opportunity to study big band arranging and composition with David Wilken, eventually having a composition of his performed by the Asheville Jazz Orchestra. He got his first classical performance experience while in Asheville as a member of the UNCA Chamber Orchestra, and in a performance with the Blue Ridge Symphony Orchestra at the Diana Wortham Theatre. 
After a year in Asheville, Kitt’s desire to delve deeper into the jazz tradition led him to Chicago to finish his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University where he studied with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis Septet members Victor Goines and Carlos Henriquez, as well as Chicago saxophonist, composer, and arranger Chris Madsen. Under the guidance of these inspirational teachers Kitt further honed his skills as a performer, composer, arranger, bandleader, and sideman. He also strengthened his artistic vision and understanding of jazz’s relevance and influence in the world. 
While at Northwestern, Kitt met some of the amazing musicians he continues to work with regularly including Gustavo Cortiñas, Roy McGrath, and Justin Copeland. He performed on Cortiñas’ All About Jazz reviewed debut album “Snapshot” featuring Victor Goines and Mike Allemana, and toured with Cortiñas group in Mexico including performances at Zinco Jazz Club in Mexico City, and The Spontaneous Jazz Festival in San Cristobal, Mexico. After graduating from Northwestern Kitt stayed in Chicago to begin his professional music career where he performs with Cortiñas’ group, the Roy McGrath Jazz Quartet, Funky Hot Grits, Kosmonaut, Tony Normand, Yuyo Verde Tango Band, Bog Light, and others. Notable venues he has performed at include Andy's Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, Mayne Stage, The Music Institute of Chicago's Billy Strayhorn Festival, and The Chicago Jazz Festival in Chicago, Snug Harbor Jazz Club in New Orleans, Cliff Bell's Jazz Club in Detroit, Zinco Jazz Club in Mexico City, Carli's Fine Bistro in San Juan Puerto Rico, and East Shore Jazz Café in Beijing, China. In addition to performing, Kitt teaches with Judy Lei Strings, The Wheeling Park District's Music Program, and privately in his home studio.

View Full Kitt Lyles Bio >>

Website

www.kittlylesmusic.com

Social Media