Joe Kennedy Jr. (1923 – April 17, 2004) was an American jazz violinist and educator. Kennedy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He performed and recorded with pianist Ahmad Jamal and was director of jazz studies at Virginia Tech from 1984 to 1995. Kennedy performed with Benny Carter, Toots Thielemans, Billy Taylor, and the Modern Jazz Quartet and appeared at major international jazz festivals including the North Sea Jazz Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival. Discography As leader Strings by Candlelight (Red Anchor, 1962) Magnifique! (Black and Blue, 1980) Accentuate the Positive with Toots Thielemans (Consolidate Artists, 1998) As sideman With Ahmad Jamal Listen to the Ahmad Jamal Quintet (Argo, 1960) Big Byrd: The Essence Part 2 (Verve, 1997) Ahmad Jamal a Paris (WEA, 1999) With John Lewis Kansas City Breaks (Finesse, 1982) With Billy Taylor Where've You Been? (Concord Jazz, 1981) Sources 1923 births 2004 deaths American jazz violinists American male violinists 20th-century American violinists 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Black & Blue Records artists