Ken Stout

Saxophonist and Music Advocate

As the newest member of Chicago The Tribute, Ken Stout, a distinguished Saxophonist and Woodwind musician from Vacaville, California, has made significant waves in the music scene. His captivating performances and profound collaborations with legendary artists have left an indelible mark across various genres. Throughout his extensive career, Ken has toured, performed, and recorded with iconic figures in Jazz, Motown, and Rock music, including illustrious groups  like The Lawrence Welk Show, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Bobby Short Jazz Orchestra, Don Rickles Orchestra, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Contours, Mary Wilson & The Supremes, and The Platters. He has also played alongside legendary saxophonist Pete Christlieb, trumpeter/founder Mic Gillette of Tower of Power, & renowned guitarist Jackie King of Willie Nelson fame.

Career Highlights

Ken’s extraordinary musicianship shines through in his memorable Rock and Roll sax solos, particularly with Trent & Wayne Gardner’s progressive rock group Magellan on the international hit album “Moon Revisited,” a tribute to Pink Floyd’s classic track “Money.” His international touring resume boasts performances at the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, as well as in Paris and London in 2003 with Ron Cunha’s All-Star Big Band. His work also includes a featured performance with The Lawrence Welk Show throughout Canada in 2006.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

      Ken’s passion extends beyond performing; he is a committed advocate for music education, serving as the Music Director of the Vaca Jazz Society’s Non-Profit 501(c) AMO-Alive Music Orchestra Big Band.  Since 1987, Ken has worked tirelessly to ensure that music arts education is preserved and enhanced for children in the community.   He also holds the presidency of the Vaca Jazz Society’s Vacaville Jazz Festival, an event founded in 1999 by his late twin brother, Keith Stout.  Ken frequently collaborates with many local musicians in the Sacramento and Bay Area, including Steve Krohn, Sabrina the Songstress, Bob Nadler, Jimmy Malone, Delbert Bump, Ron Davis Big Band, Clean Slate Band, Dean-O-Holics and Viva Santana, often performing alongside family members, including Brette Alana, Terrie, Art, Julie, Keaton and his grandson Ayden Stout.

Musical Styles, Influences, and Education

  Ken excels in a variety of genres, including traditional and Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock, and Big Band music. His artistry has been shaped by renowned saxophonists such as David Sanborn, Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley, Grover Washington Jr., and Pete Christlieb. Chicago was a particularly significant influence in Ken’s youth, especially the saxophone solos of Walt Parazaider, which Ken transcribed as a young saxophonist.  In a full-circle moment, Ken met the entire Chicago horn section at the NAMM Festival in Anaheim in 1995 — including Walter, Jimmy, and Lee.  Ken studied jazz an Jose State University and Solano College, benefiting from the guidance of many esteemed jazz educators.  In January 1987, Ken realized another dream when he and his wife, Terrie, co-founded the Live Music Center, their own music school and music retail store in Vacaville, CA, which they owned and operated for 19 years. 

Awards and Recognition

      Ken’s dedication to the arts has garnered significant recognition.  He was recently honored by the Solano County Creative Arts Council, receiving the “2023 Inspire Award” for his unwavering commitment to promoting music, arts, performance, and education for youth within the community for the last 4 decades.  Ken’s efforts have also been recognized by the Vaca Arts Council, which granted to Ken the “Business of the Year of 1996” award in 1997, highlighting his impact on preserving various music band programs within the Solano County school districts.

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