7:00 pm

Kendrick Scott is a renowned jazz drummer, composer, and educator, praised for his nuanced, propulsive rhythms and cinematic compositions. The New York Times calls him “A drummer whose time is now,” and DownBeat Magazine has named him “Rising Star – Drums” in their Critics Poll.

Born in Houston, Texas, Scott’s musical journey began in the Baptist church, nurtured by a family of musicians. By age eight, he had taken up the drums, later honing his craft at Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA)—the alma mater of stars like Robert Glasper, Jason Moran, and Beyoncé—before continuing his studies at Berklee College of Music.

Scott has toured and recorded with jazz legends including Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, Marcus Miller, and Cassandra Wilson, among many others. As a composer, his works have been featured on Grammy-winning recordings, and he has received prestigious commissions from Chamber Music America, The Jazz Gallery NYC, and DaCamera of Houston.

With six albums as a bandleader—including four with his acclaimed band Oracle—Scott’s discography includes The Source (2007), We Are The Drum (2015), A Wall Becomes A Bridge (2019), and Corridors (2023). NPR describes his music as “sprawling, cinematic compositions.”

Now based in New York, Scott continues to shape the future of jazz as a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music and a key voice in contemporary jazz.

Opener:

Monterey Jazz at TSU

ABOUT JAZZY SUNDAYS IN THE PARKS:

Jazzy Sundays in the Parks is a free concert series celebrating the vibrancy and rich tradition of jazz as well as the incredible Houstonians who preserve the artform.

The concerts will be held Sundays, March 2, 9, 16 and 23 at Emancipation Park; Sundays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27 at Discovery Green; and Sundays, May 11, 18, 25 and June 1 at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park from 5-7 pm.

All concerts are free and family-friendly. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food and drink will be available for purchase. A pop-up market will be on site at each park with locally crafted items, food and wearables.

Jazzy Sundays, made possible by a grant from Kinder Foundation, is organized by Discovery Green Conservancy in collaboration with Emancipation Park Conservancy and Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

KTSU is the official media sponsor of the 2025 Jazzy Sundays in the Parks series. Phillip Pyle, II is this year’s commemorative poster artist.

More info at www.discoverygreen.com/jazzy

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