Pianist Kevin Hays (b. 1968 New York City) began to play piano at the age of six. He had his first professional performance at the age of 15, and by the time he was 17 he was playing with baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola. After studying at the Manhattan School of Music he began touring in the United States, Europe, and Japan with the Harper Brothers, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson, and Eddie Gomez, among others. In 1995 Sonny Rollins brought Hays into his ensemble, and later Hays toured with John Scofield. Alongside his solo projects he has been working with his trio, which has included bassists Scott Colley, Larry Grenadier, Doug Weiss and drummers Billy Hart, Jochen Rückert, Bill Stewart, and Jeff Williams. All About Jazz praised Hays’ Pirouet solo CD, Variations as »pure pianism on parade«.