Kenny Hall

Website: kennyhallband.com

Born blind on October 14, 1923 in San Jose, California, now residing in Fresno, Kenny Hall is a master mandolinist and fiddler in old-time music styles (southeastern rural U.S.), music from other parts of the U.S., Ireland, Mexico, Latin America, and many parts of Europe. An energetic and passionate performer, Kenny has also been an inspiration to hundreds of musicians from around the world. A Kenny Hall program is one of world rhythms, stories and folk songs.

For Friday night’s barn dance, Kenny’s band, the “New Santa Fe Ramblers,” will be joined by his wife Marta Hall (boudhran), Bill Lehr (guitar/banjo), Linda Guerrero (fiddle), Jeff Shelby (fiddle/mandolin), Chris Darden (mandolin), and Mike Mueller (autoharp/banjo). “Kenny Hall and the New Santa Fe Ramblers” released two new CDs in 2005, the acclaimed “North Sanger Blues” and “Number 11 on the Jukebox.” Both CDs celebrate the depth and wealth of Kenny’s music.

During the summer of 2005, a recording of Kenny performing songs and tunes solo on guitar was discovered. This extraordinary recording was redigitized and remastered into a new release named, “Guitar for Pervis.” The recording was made and dedicated to Pervis Raley, and old friend of Kenny’s. Kenny’s guitar playing, inspired by legendary performers Jimmie Rodgers, Ken Harvey, Sam McGee, Maybelle Carter, and Riley Puckett is as unique as his mandolin and fiddle.

In October, 2004 saw the Fresno Folklore Society, as arranged by organizer Terry Barrett, introduce the “Kenny Hall Festival,” a benefit to raise funds to support the film "Circle of Friends: The Life and Music of Kenny Hall, by documentary filmmaker Chris Simon. Ms. Simon expects a release of this documentary within the New Year of 2006.

Currently, Kenny spends his days performing in festivals and concerts throughout the U.S. He has a standing gig, Wednesday nights 5:30 to 7:30 at the Santa Fe Basque restaurant, on Shields and Maroa Streets in Fresno. On Fridays, Kenny teaches mandolin and performs in classrooms at Mendota Unified. His energy level is still extraordinary. Friday’s barn dance will be a visit to the old-time style of Appalachian entertainment.

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