Kay Rivers Kidd, pianist
A native of Elgin, Texas, Kay is musical director and pianist for
Kay and Friends. She performs in a wide variety of styles as
a soloist and in many ensembles. She is a lifelong church
pianist and is in her 51st year of teaching in her private piano
studio. In collaboration with gifted poet Rev. Dr. James
Mayfield, Kay composes hymns and anthems. Kay and Art
perform every other year in Sweden when visiting Kay’s many
cousins there.
Art Kidd, percussion and vocals
Houston-born Art’s natural and easy vocal style matches his stellar skills as a percussionist. For many years he served as musical director and bandleader on cruise ships around the world. Art plays several times a week at Austin’s Eddie V’s restaurant with the Tony Taboada Trio and other groups. Art and Kay also do lecture/performances about the role of music in American/Texas history and other subjects.
Javier Chaparro, violin, guitar, vocals
Born in Peru, Javier landed in Texas in 1982. A prolific songwriter in recent years with three CDs of his original compositions, he has several groups of his own, including Salúd and Triple Take. For over three decades Javier has served as concertmaster of the Brazos Valley Symphony. He frequently joins Kay, Art, and Evan at Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin. His mastery of the violin can transport your heart from fiery passion to peaceful repose.
James Warth, flute, clarinet, saxophone
Jim, a South Carolina transplant, is retiring this month after
over twenty-five years as professor of jazz studies at Texas
A&M University at Kingsville. He and his wife will be moving
to Fredericksburg this summer to “live the dream”. During his
tenure in Kingsville his award-winning jazz combos have
regularly received rave reviews at the national level. He will
continue to serve as principal clarinetist in the Victoria Symphony.
Welcome home to Fredericksburg, Jim and Sara!
Evan Nicholson, bass
When Evan came to Austin from Memphis word traveled fast
about his prowess as a bassist. Since his arrival he has played
every style from folk to classical, country to jazz. He is Associate
Director for Austin’s New School of Music where he also
teaches. He performs with several bands in Austin and around
the country and is often on the road recording at some of
America’s best-known studios. When Kay & Friends heard him
play, they knew he was IT.
Anthony Hubbard, tenor
A graduate of Bastrop High School, Anthony is in his junior
year at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. He was
awarded the Tim Curry Memorial Music Scholarship for
2016-17. You may remember Tim’s appearance with us here
in Fredericksburg in 2012. You can find Anthony singing his
way around Austin in churches and in popular bands. We
invite him to sing with us at every opportunity and are
delighted to have him as our special guest today.
Source: Kay And Friends Website |