MEET THE ARTIST

Kendall Kay

South African-born, Los Angeles-based jazz drummer Kendall Kay has built a decades-long career across live performance and recording, grounded in formal jazz study and a long presence in the West Coast music community.

Kay’s story is one of continuity: Durban to North Texas to Los Angeles, working bands to recording dates, and decades of making the music feel settled without making it static.

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Kendall Kay · live at JAX

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WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW THEM

Kendall Kay, in four essential details.

ORIGIN

Durban to Los Angeles

Born in Durban, South Africa, Kay moved to Texas in 1983 and to Los Angeles in 1987.

FOUNDATION

North Texas jazz study

He graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies.

WORKING JAZZ

A drummer bands build around

By the mid-1990s he was the drummer in Cecilia Coleman’s working quintet.

LONGEVITY

A Paiste artist since 1997

Paiste lists Kay as an artist since December 1997.

THE STORY

From Durban to the West Coast

Born in Durban, South Africa, Kendall Kay moved to Texas in 1983 to study at the University of North Texas, where he earned a degree in Jazz Studies. He moved to Los Angeles in 1987 and has worked there as a drummer ever since, building a career around the consistency, listening and adaptability that working musicians value most.

EDUCATION & TEACHING

The North Texas foundation

Kay moved to Texas in 1983 to study at the University of North Texas and graduated with a degree in Jazz Studies before relocating to Los Angeles in 1987.

LIVE AT JAX

The Room Comes Alive.

START HERE · LIVE PERFORMANCE · CAMPUS JAX APPEARANCE · Aug 27, 2026

Joey Sellers' Jazz Aggregation — Live from Campus JAX

JAX HISTORY

Kendall Kay at Campus JAX

A selective history of live performances and appearances, preserved across visits to the room.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Previous JAX moments

REPLAY · Aug 27, 6:30 PM

Joey Sellers' Jazz Aggregation

Original large-ensemble jazz · Two world premieres · An all-star Los Angeles ensemble