Kim Pensyl

Kim Pensyl is a pop-jazz and New Age music keyboardist. He attended Ohio State University, and the University of California, Northridge for graduate school and had several CDs produced by Shanachie Records. He has worked in bands with Al Hirt, Don Ellis, Hubert Laws, Gerald Wilson, and Guy Lombardo. He is currently part of the Jazz Studies Department faculty at the College-Conservatory of Music (part of the University of Cincinnati).

Kim Pensyl is a prolific jazz recording artist, composer and arranger who has twice been named one of Billboard’s Top-20 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Year. A pianist and trumpeter, he has had four Top-10 albums on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart. He has recorded with jazz legends such as Toots Thielemans, and modern greats like Joey Calderazzo, Bob Mintzer, Chiele Minucci, Andy Narell, Will Kennedy, Steve Rodby, and Alex Acuna. He has performed at such esteemed jazz venues as The Blue Note, Blues Alley, Caravan of Dreams, Scullers, Beacon Theatre, and Great American Music Hall. He has also appeared at the Clearwater Jazz Festival, Sunfest, Summerfest, Stone Mountain Jazz Festival, and Pacific Jazz Festival among others. Also, Kim has toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra and Acoustic Alchemy. He has more than 100 published works recorded and over 150 compositions and arrangements in his catalog. Kim is currently teaching jazz studies at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He is the featured artist in the WJZA Smooth Jazz Trio around Central Ohio and also performs at various clubs and concerts. In addition, he performs with the faculty and guest artists at CCM, such as Arturo Sandoval, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Mulgrew Miller among others, along with several big bands in the Cincinnati area.

Career highlights

 * “Pensyl Sketches #1” (1989)
 * 3 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart
 * 2 on Radio & Records NAC Chart
 * 6 on Gavin AA Chart
 * ASCAP Best New Jazz Writer
 * 10 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year
 * “Pensyl Sketches #2” (1990)
 * 5 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart
 * 3 on Radio & Records NAC Chart
 * 9 on Radio & Records Contemporary Jazz Chart
 * 3 on Gavin AA Chart
 * 16 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year
 * “Pensyl Sketches #3” (1991)
 * 9 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart
 * Top 10 at Radio & Records and Gavin
 * N. A. R. M. Jazz Album of the Year
 * “Three Day Weekend” (1992)
 * 3 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart
 * Top 10 at Radio & Records and Gavin
 * “Eyes of Wonder” (1993)
 * 16 on Billboard, Contemporary Jazz Chart
 * “Jazz Voices” (1996)
 * WOSU-TV’s award winning concert video