Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jensen has used his off time to explore his passion for music by taking music lessons at the Torrance Arts Academy for over three years.

From an early age, music was a common bond among his family in his native Curacao.

Jansen recalls tents being set up in his uncle’s yard to provide shade for hours of jubilant jam sessions. His cousin wanted him to pick up music, but for most of his life, baseball was the only interest he pursued.

“I feel like the music was always in me,” said Jansen. “Instead of trying to just listen to it or enjoy it, why not just give it a try?”

The discipline and work ethic that have led to his success in Major League Baseball translated quite well to his music. Jansen’s instructors have been impressed with his natural ability to learn quickly.

“He’s probably the hardest working student I've ever had,” said Jane Lee, an instructor at the Torrance Arts Academy. “He’s progressing at a very fast pace and it's all due to his hard work.”

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jansen began taking virtual bass guitar lessons. His bass traveled with him to spring training, too. It was a timely activity to pick up when off field entertainment was minimized.

“I felt like he was doing well enough that he would really enjoy playing music with other people,” said Hubie Wang, Jansen’s bass teacher. “We called up some friends and some other teachers who were here at the school and we started jamming with him whenever he had the time.”

His baseball habits have carried over to his new pursuit. Wang noted that Jansen records and documents all of the practice sessions in order to find areas of improvement. He essentially hosts his own film sessions to improve “his game.”

What began as an activity to free his mind from baseball, has turned into another competitive tool.

“Whenever you jam, you can't have other thoughts in your mind. You just gotta have a quiet mind,” said Jansen. 

His focus on the mound has benefited from his spontaneous jam sessions.

In baseball, he has proven his skill and cemented a place in Dodger history. In the studio, he quickly prays, laughs and hopes to make it through his next bass solo without falter.

He is excited to be a part of the group, humbly trying to improve each day. His passion for baseball and music have unseeingly mixed and complemented each other, making for a balanced lifestyle that most cannot find in the spotlight that comes with being a major leaguer.