Composer | Pianist | Violinist | Vocalist | Educator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pianist, composer, violinist and vocalist Kendrah E. Butler-Waters grew up in a household surrounded by jazz, Motown, classical, and gospel classics. Raised by a single mother in the outskirts of Philadelphia, Kendrah’s mother Charlotte Butler would purchase her first Fisher Price keyboard not knowing that Kendrah would listen to the music her mother would play on records and imitate what she heard by playing it on her little keyboard. Her mother was encouraged to start Kendrah on piano lessons. After purchasing Kendrah a used baby grand piano from a Temple graduate student, Kendrah would begin her classical studies with her teacher, Charles Pettaway at the Settlement Music School. She studied with world renowned pianist Charles Pettaway for 11 rigorous years. Simultaneously, Kendrah would begin her jazz studies at the Mount Airy Cultural Center, founded by saxophonist Anthony “Tony” Williams. At Mount Airy, Kendrah received the Philadelphia Jazz grooming on the piano from jazz greats like Don Wilson and Kenny Gates. Kendrah’s serious and rigorous study of both classical and jazz piano afforded her a Roam and Haas scholarship at Settlement Music School for 5 years to study with the late Philadelphia legendary pianist Eddie Green (pianist for Billy Paul, Tyrone Brown, and many others). Kendrah’s love of jazz and her faith would go to shape her musical identity.
Kendrah was most recently commissioned to compose a soundscape score for former poet laureates of Philadelphia, Yolanda Wisher and Trapeta Mayson titled, "Sisterly Affection". This was a part of their "ConsenSIS" poetry project focused on Black female and femme poets from Philadelphia. The score can be heard here: The Score composed by KBW
In 2020, Kendrah released her first feature solo album, “Faith Walk”. This album featured original compositions and arrangements performed with her quartet. Featured artists include: Nimrod Speaks, Jeff Scull, Justin Sekelewski, Darryl Jackson, Gusten Rudolph, and V. Shayne Frederick. This album is sure to excite listeners. The single and video for, "The Negro Spirituals" was released October 2, 2020.
Kendrah’s love for composition also led her to being awarded the competitive Kimmel Center Jazz Residency in 2015-2016. Kendrah composed and produced a body of work focused on sacred jazz music. Her compositions merged the genres of jazz, gospel, and hymnology of the African American experience. Working then with vocalist Shamika Byrd, the World Premier of their work was received to a sold out audience at the Kimmel Center.
Kendrah has also done various solo piano performances, one of which was a solo piano tribute to Mary Lou Williams at the Pennsylvania premier of producer/director Carol Bash’s documentary film on Mary Lou Williams. Kendrah has also scored music for the documentary titled, “The LaMott Community Garden” sponsored by PBS’s, “Our Community Stories” which is featured and recurrently played on PBS and WHYY. Kendrah performed and composed new work for LeVar Burton and his “LeVar Burton Reads” Tour episode titled, “Driftglass”; a work by famed author/Sci-Fi Innovator Samuel L. Delany. This performance was received by a sold out audience at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in New Jersey and is streaming on all major media platforms (Apple, Spotify, etc.).
Kendrah also accompanied music director Tonya Dorsey on piano at the National Black Catholic Congress in Florida to audiences of over 5,000 Catholics from around the world.
Kendrah has performed with her trio or quartet at countless jazz venues and festivals including the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, The Philadelphia Clef Club, The International House, The Museum of the American Revolution, The Philadelphia Art Museum, The Mandel Theater, Venice Island Performing Arts Center, The Cape May Jazz Festival, The Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival, The Ardmore Jazz Festival, the Community Education Center and abroad. Kendrah served in missions for an Ethnodoxolgy missions trip to England, France, Germany and Belgium with a team of 10 other musicians developing culturally relevant worship music in addition to performing through northern France.
Kendrah has a dual bachelors degree in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Spanish and completed a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Drexel University. She is currently a 3rd grade teacher with the Hatboro-Horsham School District. Kendrah also taught at the University of Pennsylvania as an adjunct professor and has taught various masterclasses at multiple universities.
Testimonials...
"A multitalented pianist, composer, and vocalist who weaves cultural honesty and spiritual sensibilities into her compositions and performances."
WRTI/NPR Article
|
" I feel very lucky to have found Kendrah's work for our live event! She composed and performed a gorgeous accompaniment to a live reading by LeVar Burton of a classic tale by the speculative fiction pioneer Samuel Delaney. She seamlessly blended musical styles as suggested by the narrative and characters, creating riffable themes that enhanced the story and LeVar's read without overpowering them. She was a wonderful collaborator who was ready to tweak through rehearsal and into the performance to make it the best show possible."
Julia Smith - Producer for "LeVar Burton Reads" |
"Kendrah Butler-Waters, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and emerging storyteller in high demand, presents music that authentically parallels her life. In spite of her years, her music and oftentimes, lyrics embody the wisdom of her ancestry. You can hear the encouraging words of Kendrah's proud grandmother, feel her dedication to her family and you are most certainly moved by her exploration of her deep relationship with GOD. Her narrative is an indication that she has no limits and there is no musical genre that she cannot digest."
Rhenda Fearrington - Former Jazz Bridge President/Sista In The Front ©2010/2018 |