Music rooted in tradition — alive in the present
Kenn Lending is a Danish musician, composer, singer and bandleader whose work is rooted in the broad African-American music tradition. For decades, he has explored the cultural, historical and musical connections between urban blues, soul, gospel, jazz, Funk and Afro-Latin influences.
His work is shaped by a deep respect for tradition — not as something frozen in time, but as a living, evolving cultural language. Blues, soul and groove are, in Kenn Lending's universe, not simply musical styles, but ways of telling stories about identity, community, survival and creativity.
Through concerts, concert talks and workshops, Kenn Lending connects music with storytelling and cultural insight. His performances often move fluidly between songs and spoken narrative, allowing audiences to experience both the emotional power of the music and the deeper cultural context behind it.
Kenn Lending's approach is urban, contemporary and deeply rooted at the same time. His work reflects a lifetime of musical experience and cultural curiosity, creating performances that are both musically engaging and intellectually meaningful.
Whether on stage with his band, in a cultural institution or in an educational setting, Kenn Lending presents African-American music as a living tradition — relevant, human and full of groove.
Bio
Kenn Lending (Danish singer, guitarist, composer and producer, born Feb. 8. 1955) is a
musician with an extraordinary history. His devotion to music goes back to his early childhood,
and afro american music, of any style, has attracted him since he was a baby.
He started learning guitar when he was seven, but it was the "American Folk Blues Festival" in
1968, that made up his mind about his future life. On stage was Big Joe Williams, Jimmy Reed,
John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker and Eddie Taylors Chicago Blues Band. To witness these
guys play their blues, was such a shock, that this event have had huge impact on the rest of his
life. Right away he made a blues band with some schoolmates, and was determent to learn to
play the real blues.
Up through the seventies he was working in several reputable Danish groups. Such as the
Latin Funk group "Himmelexpressen" and the Soul and Reggae group "Survivors". But forming
his own Blues Band in 1980, fulfilled the dream, that he had, since he saw T Bone Walker live
on that stage in 1968.
Already a year before Kenn Lending formed his band, he started his well known partnership with
the legendary american barrelhouse piano-player and blues singer Champion Jack Dupree, who
lived in Hannover, Germany since 1975. This partnership, that through the years turned into a
close friendship, lasted until "The Champ" passed away in January 1992.
The Duo did over 1000 concerts together in 35 states and countries, including a seven week
tour in USA and Canada in 1991. They also appear together on at least 19 different albums.
Three of the albums was recorded in Champion Jack Dupree's hometown New Orleans, for
Rounder Records in 1990 and 1991, in connection with their performances on "New Orleans
Jazz & Heritage Festival". One of these CD's "Forever and Ever", received the WC Handy
Award for the best traditional album in 1991.
When an old bluesman like Champion Jack Dupree, choose to work and travel with a young
musician, it's not only for the friendship and the help it is, to travel with a younger guy. It's also
because it's time to pass the heritage to the next generation. That exactly what The Champ did
to Kenn, over the years they spend together. Because of this fact, Kenn has received a lot of
respect and encouragement from other African-American blues artist, such as BB King, Junior
Wells, John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon, over the years. Many blues artists also started using
Kenn for concerts and recordings. Artists like Memphis Slim, Luther Allison, Louisiana Red, Aron
Burton, Lillian Boutté, Janice Harrington, Bobby Rush and many others, have frequently used Kenn Lending
and his Band as backing on concerts and recordings.