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Born in Denver, CO, and raised in Mountlake Terrace, WA, Kandin Neri began his relationship with the saxophone when he was 11 years old. That seminal moment sparked a passionate pursuit of learning more about music, and eventually, a deep and abiding reverence for the jazz tradition. Neri recently discovered that this bond with jazz is inherited, a calling that reached across three generations. Three quarters of a century ago his grandfather, Ali Abdul Majeed, settled on the guitar at the age of fourteen and embarked on what became a lifelong career as a jazz musician.
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Neri has a strong affinity for the traditional and innovative sounds of saxophonists that precede him, including the likes of John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, and Charlie Parker. Besides music being in his blood, he draws inspiration from many influences ranging from early jazz and blues, bebop and post-bop, to contemporary sounds.
After returning to his birthplace, Colorado, Neri worked with local Denver-area musicians such as Dawn Clement, Steve Kovalcheck, Austin Hass, Seth Lewis, Spencer Zweifel, Domi Edson, and Brian Claxton. Looking to establish himself in the Seattle scene, he returned in 2022 and has worked with many sought after jazz musicians in the area, including Greg Williamson, Danny Kolke, Michael Glynn, John Hansen, Beserat Tafesse, Milo Peterson, Jerry Steinhilber, and Peter Daniel. Neri’s regular work with local groups include the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band, small group sessions at Boxley’s jazz club, the Curt Berg Sextet, the Neri-Pettibon Quintet, Tinkham Road, and the Kandin Neri Quartet. He has recently released a one-take album created from a 2021 live session, entitled Snapshot.
