Donny Kennedy
Alto Saxophone
Recently returned to Regina Saskatchewan (July 2022) after 27 years in Montreal, Donny Kennedy joined the Regina Catholic School Division teaching Band and Jazz in the LeBoldus area. He also joined the faculty at the University of Regina teaching Jazz History and Appreciation.
Over the years, Donny has led and written for many groups. The Donny Kennedy Sextet toured Mexico as part of Festival Internacional Cervantino. This group was also nominated for the GM Grand Prix de Jazz at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2003. In 2001, the group was chosen as one of five groups to perform in Toronto as part of a Canada Council initiative to promote emerging Canadian jazz artists. The group released one recording entitled Horizons. The album features original compositions by Kennedy. Donny has also recently embarked on a new quartet project (The Kennedy/McLeod Quartet). This group has one recorded album entitled, Belaney’s Secret. A new album, Home Brew with this group released summer 2025.
Donny taught at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music for 22 years and St. George’s School of Montreal for 15 years. At McGill, he taught Basic Jazz Arranging, Jazz Saxophone, Jazz Materials, Basic Materials of Jazz, Jazz Orchestra III, Jazz Philosophy and Instruction, Graduate Jazz Pedagogy and Jazz Combo. He was also the Jazz Combo Coordinator at McGill University. In 2021, Donny was awarded both the Schulich School of Music Teaching Award, and the Principal’s Prize for Excellence in Teaching from McGill University. Kennedy has also taught Saxophone at Bishop’s University. He has also directed the Jazz Ensemble at Camp Musicale d’Asbestos (English session) and is a regular faculty member of the annual Prairielands Jazz Camp in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Donny remains active as a freelance musician, clinician, and teacher in Canada. He is a D’Addario Canada endorsed artist. He has performed and recorded with Kevin Dean, Andre White, Kirk MacDonald, PJ Perry, Dee Daniels, Joe Sullivan, Remi Bolduc, Josh Rager, Steve Kaldestad, Janis Steprans, Kieran Overs, Christine Jensen, Paul Nedzela, Ingrid Jensen, The Montreal Jazz Big Band and many other notable musicians. He was also a member of the Min Rager Quintet. This group has recorded two CD’s entitled Bright Road and First Steps. Donny also played lead alto saxophone in the Joe Sullivan Big Band for 20 years and is still the lead alto player for the Juno award winning Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra. The Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra also has a newly released album (Harbour).