Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne
Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (born Kenneth Wayne Spruell, 1944, Spokane, Washington) is an American blues, boogie-woogie and jazz pianist, singer and songwriter. Music journalist, Jeff Johnson, writing in the Chicago Sun-Times stated, "There's no boogie-woogie-blues piano man out there today who pounds the 88's with the conviction of Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne."
Wayne was born in Spokane, but he relocated with his family to San Francisco, California at an early age. His parents alternatively advised for and against the blues, but his mother's influence led Wayne to be influenced early by Nat King Cole, Little Willie John, and Fats Domino. The family moved in turn to New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Compton, California. While he was growing up, Wayne drew further inspiration from The Three Sounds, George Shearing, Erroll Garner, Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaría, Ray Charles, Charles Brown, Floyd Dixon, Big Joe Turner, and Jimmy Reed.
Based in Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1970s, Wayne was utilized as a sideman by various pop and rock musicians. In the 1980s Wayne relocated again to Vancouver, British Columbia. "Blues Boss" (his nickname was acquired from the title of Amos Milburn's comeback album with Motown Records) undertook a tour of Europe in 1994. Wayne dedicated his debut album to his parents, and 2002 heralded the issue of "88th & Jump Street", followed by "Blues Carry Me Home" (2003) and "Let It Loose" (2005).
His festival appearances have included Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival (2004) and Koktebel Jazz Festival (2006).
In May 2008, Wayne issued his album, Can't Stop Now. Wayne's most recent release, "Rollin' with the Blues Boss" (2014), included guest contributions from Diunna Greenleaf and Eric Bibb.
Nominated in 1997 for 'Best Blues/Gospel Album,' and in 1999 and 2003 for 'Best Blues Album,' Wayne was presented with a Juno Award in 2006 for "Let It Loose".
(Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne at 14th Annual Poconos Blues Fest 2005)