"...Idle Afternoon is a stirring session of eight original compositions featuring Mike Kennedy in a swingin' quartet session that showcases fluid, straight-ahead jazz playing alongside inspired compositions...Kennedy's guitar style is a wonderful combination of wistful lines and harmonic integrity...[a]nd Kennedy's chops, while displaying nicely for all to hear, come more from his musical intellect than a series of rote finger exercises...As accompanists and soloists, each player is on top of their game..."
-Lyle Robinson, Jazz Guitar Life

"There is something to be said for an album, or artist, that doesn't rely on a musical gimmick, massive mountains of effects, or the insertion of a ‘name' guest artist as a means or a ploy for gaining attention. Guitarist Mike Kennedy has created a program of eight originals, put together a quartet of strong players, and created an album, Idle Afternoon, that succeeds on its own merits and relies on none of the aforementioned crutches..."
-Dan Bilawsky, Jazz Improv, Vol. 7, No. 4

Consisting of all original compositions, Mike Kennedy’s self-produced Idle Afternoon stays firmly based in the pre-hard bop lexicon, interpreting swinging and straightahead tunes....Kennedy possesses a rich, thick, soulful sound...His playing displays first-class technique and an impeccable sense of time...One often expects a certain freshness in a recording of all-original music, but one does not always expect the well crafted, harmonically rich music found here.
-Edward Zucker, All About Jazz (to see the entire review, click here)

"Guitarist, composer and producer, Mike Kennedy seems to do it all with Idle Afternoon, a disc containing refreshing new material... The Mike Kennedy Quartet captures a performance of musical delights..."
-Edward Blanco, ejazznews (to see the entire review, click here)

"Kennedy's sense of time, his mature use of space, accurate intonation, and the way his playing breathes is exemplary...."
-Winthrop Bedford, Jazz Improv Magazine, Vol. 4, No. 3

"[T]unes are boppish and swing hard...captures the attention."
-Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer

"[A]n innovative jazz guitarist/composer...exploring new trails in Jazz..."
-True Van Deusen, Philadelphia Metro and All About Jazz

"Guitarist Mike Kennedy plays with a soulfulness that is quite characteristic of his Philadelphia home's jazz tradition..."
-C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

"Mike Kennedy, guitarist and composer, has put together an exceptionally fine collection of original music...The 10 songs include Who Told You That, Teahouse, Something For You, the intricate For Now (10:05 minutes playing time), Some Blues, Say It, among others. Any Other Day is another nice work, one in which the solo work is superb, and that it the key to all these performances---the solo work is superb as well as the group interaction...QUARTET NO. 1 is a fine musical outing for jazz listeners...Barrage was one of my favorites in this CD among many because every instrument produced the sound of entertaining jazz. Simply put, this is an outstanding jazz CD, one to savor and enjoy often."
-Lee Prosser, Jazz Review (to see the entire review, click here)

"A major reason why this collection works is because of the strong writing of Mike Kennedy. Kennedy wrote all ten tracks and even though the arrangements rival some of the best jazz tracks of the 60's, there is a contemporary feel to the material that brings about today's emotions...Kennedy has brought traditional jazz into the 21st Century with today's sensitivity and sensitivity and classic taste."
-Norm Breest, Jazz Review (to see the entire review, click here)

"Local musician, guitarist Mike Kennedy, and his group are doing some fascinating new explorations within his own compositions...very lovely, bright and wonderful things here...Great, just marvelous...This group really hangs together beautifully and I'm sure we're going to hear a great deal more from them. They're terrific...There are a number of things on [Quartet No. 1] that I think you will find quite fascinating...Tremendous album. I recommend it highly."
-WRTI, 90.1FM, Dr. Jack Buerkle, Jazz Encounters, July 14, 2002