Nigel Kennedy
Kennedy’s talent showed itself early and he won a scholarship to the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music aged just 7. At 13, Kennedy was introduced to the jazz violin legend Stephane Grappelli, sparking a lifelong interest in the genre. The pair became great friends, touring theatres, folk clubs, and at the famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London, where Kennedy performed for the first time.
Kennedy’s 1989 hit recording of Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’ made him an international star and transformed the classical music scene for the better: there are no stuffed shirts at a Nigel Kennedy gig. Nigel’s inclusive and open-minded approach to all styles of music continues to this day and has won him fans all over the world.
Nigel combines a unique mix of repertoire with energy, dynamics and mind-blowing technical and emotional musicality, which will leave audiences spellbound.
A Virtuoso
Concert Performance
From the biggest selling violinist in the world
THE WORLD’S BEST-SELLING VIOLINIST EMBARKS ON HIS “VIRTUOSO” TOUR, HIS FIRST LARGE SCALE UK TOUR IN OVER TEN YEARS
A MUST-SEE EVENT
Nigel Kennedy has announced his first large-scale UK tour in over fifteen years. The NIGEL KENNEDY “VIRTUOSO” tour will begin on 2nd March 2026 and finish on 29th June covering 39 dates across the UK.
The UK’s greatest living violinist has promised an evening that reflects his love of a unified approach to all music. Kennedy will be accompanied by long-time collaborators Alec Dankworth, son of the late John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, on double bass; and the great ‘cellist Peter Adams.
Kennedy’s adventurous approach and comprehensive mastery of the violin means his concerts will, as always, go straight to the heart of the British public. On the grapevine, rumour has it he is playing better then ever.