Episode 30: Pure Improvisation, the Denver Jazz Scene, and Turning Off the Inner Critic with Kenny Warren

We sit down with trumpeter Kenny Warren to explore the boundless possibilities of modern improvisation and the magic of trusting your instincts on the bandstand. Kenny opens up about his deep connection to free improvisation, describing it as a childlike state of uninhibited play, and details how he turns off his “inner critic” during esoteric sessions. We reflect on his formative years in the Denver scene with the legendary Ron Miles, his “jazz prog rock” roots with JP Schlegelmilch, and the collaborative strength of their current project, Slow Tiger. Kenny also shares his thoughts on the process of mixing and editing albums—comparing psychedelic post-production to a David Lynch film—and discusses how he adapts his compositions when writing for his Sweet World trio.