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From studying at the Julliard School to reinventing the music of Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix, and in between stunning the classical world with repertoire from Bartok to Vivaldi, Nigel Kennedy has always been driven by his passion for musical diversity. 

While The Nigel Kennedy Quintet's Blue Note Sessions (EMI Classics 2006) focused on interpreting compositions from past masters of the jazz repertoire, for A Very Nice Album (EMI Clasics 2008) Kennedy steps to the fore as composer as well as improviser. He himself admits that "some people might not call all the songs I've written jazz", and he is not afraid to test the term to destruction as the compositions roam from blues and bebop to ballads and bossa-nova, interspersed with an occasional blast of metal.

Having already interpreted works of Jimi Hendrix a couple of years ago, this time Kennedy comes along with totally new interpretations and arrangements. With his new Jimi Hendrix -program again avoids any attempts to emulate Jimi Hendrix's playing or singing style when interpreting his songs. 

After the successful tour of Kennedy & Kroke in 2003 and 2004 and their CD East meets East  (Emi Classics 2003), Kennedy now goes again on stage with the pioneers in Klezmer and folk style.The addition of Kennedy's violin adds spectacular excitement with each piece of music offering something fresh and striking: Music full of melancholia, infectious dance rhythms and stunning melodies: Klezmer meets Folk meets Classic.

With his new Bach & Ellington -program, Kennedy traverse once more the boundaries of music. With his new program Kennedy and his band intend to show the enjoyable diversity but also the common humanity of two great composers who might normally be perceived as belonging in different categories.