Bixby Kennedy

"Bixby Kennedy played with admirable suppleness and beauty of tone. He was unquestionably the star of this performance..." -Allan Kozinn

Admired for his “marvelous ringing tone” (Joseph Dalton, Albany Times Union) Bixby Kennedy is one of the most versatile clarinetists of his generation.  He has performed concerti with orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and New Haven Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Bixby has performed throughout the US and Europe in venues including  Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, The Kennedy Center, Marlboro Music Festival, and is the clarinetist for the “explosive” New York City-based Frisson Ensemble. He has appeared as a guest artist with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and The Knights. As an orchestral musician, Bixby has performed with the MET Opera and NY Philharmonic in addition to being a member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. On period instruments, Bixby has performed classical repertoire on original and replica instruments throughout the US with Grand Harmonie Orchestra.  He is a former member of Carnegie Hall's Ensemble Connect and works as a teaching artist throughout the US. As an arranger, his works have been performed by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Schumann, Frisson, Ensemble Connect, and Symphony in C. A champion of new music, Bixby has commissioned and premiered many new compositions. He was the clarinettist in the inaugural ensemble in residence for Juilliard SummerComp, and in Fall of 2025 joins the storied New York New Music Ensemble as clarinetist. In addition to performing and teaching Bixby loves spending time with his family, traveling, trying new foods, laughing, hiking, and playing tennis. 

Bixby performs exclusively on Backun instruments.