Kenny Wollesen

Kenny Wollesen
Kenny Wollesen at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, 2016
Photo by Mae Moreno
Background information
Born (1966-04-09) 9 April 1966
GenresAvant-garde jazz, classical, rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Drums, vibraphone, percussion
LabelsTzadik

Kenny Wollesen (born 1966) is an American drummer and percussionist.

Wollesen has recorded and toured with Tom Waits, Sean Lennon, Ron Sexsmith, Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, John Lurie, Myra Melford, Steven Bernstein, and John Zorn. He is a founding member of the New Klezmer Trio and a member of the Sex Mob and Himalayas groups.

He grew up in Capitola, California, studying at Aptos High School, and spending many teenage years playing with Donny McCaslin. He spent quality classroom time with flugelhornist and arranger Ray Brown at Cabrillo College. He also arranges and studied vibraphone at Cabrillo.

Wollesen utilizes the Burton grip when playing vibraphone.