{{short description|American jazz guitarist (born 1953)}} {{distinguish|Kenn Navarro}} {{BLP sources|date=December 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Ken Navarro | image =Ken Navarro Live at the Norfolk Jazz Festival.jpg | image_size = | landscape = | caption = Ken Navarro in concert | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_date = {{Birth date|1953|6|9}} | birth_place = Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. | genre = Contemporary jazz | occupation = Musician, record label owner | instrument = Guitar | years_active = 1984-present | label = Positive Music, Shanachie | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|www.kennavarro.com}} }}
'''Ken Navarro''' (born June 9, 1953) is an American contemporary jazz guitarist from Lafayette, Indiana.
==Career== Navarro worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles, performing with Dave Koz, Nell Carter, and Doc Severinsen. In 1990, Navarro released his debut album, ''The River Flows'', on his own record label. His second album was nominated for a Grammy Award.<ref name="Ankeny">{{cite web|last1=Collar|first1=Matt|title=Ken Navarro|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ken-navarro-mn0000078046/biography|website=AllMusic|accessdate=19 March 2022}}</ref> His 28 albums have included appearances by Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, Chad Wackerman, Brandon Fields, and Eric Marienthal. Navarro has also produced albums for saxophonist Eric Darius, Tony Craddock Jr.and pianist Jay Rowe.
On the smooth jazz chart at ''Billboard'' magazine, his song "You Are Everything" reached No. 6,<ref name="you">{{cite magazine|title=Ken Navarro You Are Everything Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/ken-navarro/chart-history/jazz-songs/song/480587|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507063355/https://www.billboard.com/music/ken-navarro/chart-history/jazz-songs/song/480587|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=19 October 2017}}</ref> "Juliet" reached No. 7,<ref name="juliet">{{cite magazine|title=Ken Navarro Juliet Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/ken-navarro/chart-history/jazz-songs/song/937664|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510053059/https://www.billboard.com/music/ken-navarro/chart-history/jazz-songs/song/937664|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=19 October 2017}}</ref> "When We Dance" reached No. 11 and "Ruby Lane" reached No. 10.<ref name="ruby">{{cite magazine|title=Ken Navarro Ruby Lane Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/ken-navarro/chart-history/jazz-songs/song/841425|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510053046/https://www.billboard.com/music/ken-navarro/chart-history/jazz-songs/song/841425|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=19 October 2017}}</ref>
==Discography== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year !Title !Label |- |1990 |''The River Flows'' |Positive Music |- |1991 |''After Dark'' |Positive Music |- |1992 |''Labor of Love'' |Positive Music |- |1993 |''I Can't Complain'' |Positive Music |- |1994 |''Pride & Joy'' |Positive Music |- |1995 |''Brighter Days'' |Positive Music |- |1996 |''When Night Calls'' |Positive Music |- |1996 |''Christmas Cheer'' |Positive Music |- |1997 |''Smooth Sensation'' |Positive Music |- |1998 |''Ablaze in Orlando'' |Positive Music |- |1999 |''In My Wildest Dreams'' |Positive Music |- |2000 |''Island Life'' |Positive Music |- |2002 |''Slow Dance'' |Shanachie |- |2003 |''All the Way'' |Shanachie |- |2005 |''Love Coloured Soul'' |Positive Music |- |2007 |''The Meeting Place'' |Positive Music |- |2008 |''The Grace of Summer Light'' |Positive Music |- |2010 |''Dreaming of Trains'' |Positive Music |- |2012 |''The Test of Time'' |Positive Music |- |2014 |''Ruby Lane'' |Positive Music |- |2015 |''Hope, Joy, Strength'' |Positive Music |- |2015 |''Unbreakable Heart'' |Positive Music |- |2016 |''Bonfire'' |Positive Music |- |2018 |''Music for Guitar and Orchestra'' |Positive Music |- |2020 |''Into the Light'' |Positive Music |- |2021 |''I Will Still Be Here'' |Positive Music |- |2023 |''Love Is Everywhere'' |Positive Music |- |2025 |''It’s Nice To Be With You'' |Positive Music |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.kennavarro.com Official website] * [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC78wDTEI-0TO87EubFksCIA Official YouTube channel] * {{Discogs artist|453606}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Navarro, Ken}} Category:20th-century American guitarists Category:21st-century American guitarists Category:American jazz guitarists Category:American people of Italian descent Category:Guitarists from Maryland Category:Smooth jazz guitarists Category:Living people Category:1963 births Category:American jazz musicians Category:Jazz musicians from Maryland