Sonny Kenner

Blues Legacy

Clarence "Sonny" Kenner

6/2/1933 - 1/23/2001

Sonny Kenner spent a lifetime entertaining audiences, both in Kansas City and around the globe. Born into a family of entertainers on June 2nd, 1933, Sonny grew up only a block away from what is now the Kansas City Musicians Foundation where as a child he was able to hear some of the city's finest jazz musicians.

During Sonny's career he shared the stage with Bob Hope, Quincy Jones, Red Foxx and Charlie Parker. "I could hardly play when I was on stage with 'Bird," remembers Sonny with a smile. "I was too busy just trying to listen to him! He was a real idol of mine." Over the years Sonny became good friends with (comedian) Red Foxx. "We'd hang out together after shows and he would take me to all the parties. I couldn't believe all the movie stars I used to see at those things."

Sonny was always very close to his audience. In his later years, Sonny became a favorite performer among young college students. The college crowd loved Sonny because he would hang out with them on his breaks and talk about life and music. He would stop several times throughout a performance to gather requests from the audience. The young college girls loved to make their requests right into Sonny's ear and often give him a peck on the cheek before stepping down from the stage. He was very philosophical in his late years, and on his breaks you would find him surrounded by his fans listening to stories about life and music. Sonny left us on January 23rd, 2001 but we will never forget him.