Ramon Kenan
One of the outstanding trumpeters of our time, Ramon Kenan has performed nationally and internationally with such music legends as: The O’Jays, The Coasters, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Byron Stripling, Phil Driscoll, The Winans, Beach Boys, Frankie Valli and Ed Shaughnessy (Tonight Show Band).
Mr. Kenan has performed in various music venues on public radio and television. His television credits include PBS, WTVD, CTV and various international broadcasts in the Bahamas, Central Europe and Russia.
Currently a member of the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra; Ramon is also the lead trumpeter with the Raleigh Jazz Orchestra and the North Carolina Brass. A talented song writer, Ramon enjoys composing Jazz, Classical, Blues, R&B and Gospel music. With 2 solo CDs and a Five Movement Symphony soon to be premiered, he is one of the most sought after trumpeters on the East Coast.
He holds a degree in Music Performance from Oral Roberts University, and he has held three professorships: North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and Campbell University. Not only does Ramon excel in the genre of Jazz music, he also performs Classical, Gospel and Top 40’s music.
The Satchmo Show: a Tribute to Louis Armstrong, starring Ramon Kenan, is a fantastic multimedia show with old Louis Armstrong clips, providing a multi-dimensional experience for both children and adults. It is Educational, Inspirational,and Entertaining. With his trumpet, vocal skills and acting, Ramon Kenan portrays the legendary Jazz figure, Louis Armstrong, through a vibrant performance about his life and his influence on a generation of musicians – all within a 50 minute show. The show can be expanded to 90 minutes with a quartet of instrumentalists.
Ramon has considerable experience performing educational shows to young audiences in area schools. As more fully described on the Schools and Colleges Page, Ramon is committed to encouraging young trumpeters through Artists in the Schools Programs that entitle qualifying schools to enjoy The Satchmo Show: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong at special rates.
Ramon is a multi-talented performer, composer and producer who will astound your audience with his charismatic personality, and “trumpetology". This tribute usually generates multiple standing ovations because Ramon Kenan and his band are among the best Louis Armstrong tribute artists in the world.
“Ramon Kenan, on trumpet, stopped the show with his [rendition of] ‘Wonderful World’ [by Louis Armstrong]—voice and all [for which he received] a spontaneous standing ovation.”
-- Pam Medlin, Vice President of Booking, Stanly County Concert Association of Albermarle, NC
"Jazz trumpeter Ramon Kenan delivers an uncanny impersonation of the legendary jazz musician, capturing Armstrong’s style — exceptional technical ability, joy, spontaneity and a rapid, inventive musical mind that still dominates jazz today — in every nuance of his performance, from Armstrong’s humble beginnings in the Storyville section of New Orleans to his triumphant world tours."
-- The Mountain Times,
Boone, NC
"Extraordinary jazz trumpeter Ramon Kenan gives an uncanny impersonation of the 20th century’s most legendary jazz musician, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong in 'Satchmo Live', an evening with the great Louis Armstrong."
--Mariam & Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center, Blowing Rock, NC