K&K's Artist of the Month: Tom Kennedy
January 2004
Tom
Kennedy has been a first call Bassist on the Music scene for the last
25 years. He began playing the Acoustic Bass at the age of 9, and only
one year later, began building a high profile career in and around the
St. Louis area. By his late teens, Tom had already worked with such Jazz
veterans as James Moody, Peter Erskine, Bill Watrous, Barney Kessel, David
Sanborn, Eddie Harris, Nat Adderly, Freddie Hubbard, and Stan Kenton.
Tom's interest was primarily Mainstream Jazz, until his introduction to
the Electric Bass at age 17.
In 1984, he moved to New York and immediately became involved in numerous Musical situations, on both instruments. Recording master Guitarist Bill Connors album "Step it", and touring with legendary Jazz Group "Steps Ahead" (w/Michael Brecker) brought immediate recognition. Since then, his credits include performance and recordings with such greats as Al DiMeola, Dave Weckl, Tania Maria, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, and Steve Gadd.
Tom has found his home as a member of premier Drummer Dave Weckl's band for the last 4 years, and is featured on all D.W. Band recordings: "Rhythm of the Soul", "Synergy", "Transition", and "Perpetual Motion". He also appeared on Dave's debut recording, "Master Plan" in 1990.
Tom released his debut solo CD "Basses Loaded" in 1997, and has just released his second solo project "Bassics" with Jazz legends Mundell Lowe and Joe LaBarbera. Tom performed on Guitarist Al DiMeola's latest release "The Infinite Desire", A "Tribute to Bill Evans" with Dave Grusin, as well as a new classical/Jazz release "Two Worlds" with Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin. He has also continued his "Who's Who" list, performing with Joe Sample, Alan Pasqua, Ernie Watts, Jeff Beal, Vinnie Caliauta, Clay Jenkins, Virgil Donati, and Simon Phillips.
Tom uses K&K's Bass Max and says: "I have been extremely happy with my Bass sound after the addition of your Bass Max pickup. My Bass is getting a very full, natural sound, but also very articulate and punchy. I have gone through a small financial fortune and and many years looking for something that could deliver like the K&K Bass Max, and now the search is over!!!"
E-mail Mike at TomKennedyMusic@aol.com