Artist description Midwestern Contemporary Music with Elements of Jazz, World Music, Fusion * More. A Kaliedoscope of styles! this album uses 6&12 string electric and acousticguitars, bass, guitar synthesizers, various keyboard sounds, and drums.

Music Style Jazz, smooth jazz, world beat, guitar jazz, fusion

Musical Influences contemporary jazz with world influences and midwestern

Similar Artists George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Andy Summers, Larry Carlton, Pat

Artist History James Kennedy has been a performing professional for over 25years as a soloist and with a large variety of ensembles. He frequently toursin Europe and the US.

Group Members the album was all tracked by James himself.   Current "band" membersinclude Matt Alles on bass and "Stickman" on drums/percussion with other"special guest" appeances by vocalists and other instrumentalists.

Instruments 6 & 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass,guitar synthesizer, various keyboards/synthesizers, percussion

Albums "Just Bein' Natural" on Union St. Records, "The Heartland Consort" on Enja Records, "Broken Branches" HCM  (currently cassette only from HCM), "Recollections" HCM (cd or cassette from HCM), "Blind World" HCM (cd or cassette from HCM), "Celestial Traveller

Press Reviews "Exhiliarating guitar Work" - KVPR Radio;"A distinctive sound in modern jazz" - Jazz Notes"James Kennedy excels as a composer and performer capable of crafting uncluttered harmonic layers, pleasing melodies, and intriguing percussive splashes" - Jazz TracksJames Kennedy Album Review “Across the Borders”  as reviewed for “The Global Muse”In listening to this album, I felt the pain, struggle and joy from each note. James Kennedy takes you away on hisjourney "Across the Borders." The unique combination of influences and styles incorporated into this music is pure genius. I can safely say that this is music like no other. James virtuous guitar styles rage from smooth contemporaryjazz to the exotic world sounds. The song Desert Nights has a really cool bluesy/Jazz groove going on, and has to be one of my favorites on the CD.  That's only a small piece of the diversity in musical styles of what you'll get off of this CD. James Kennedy is definitely worth checking out and someone you'll be hearing a lot more about in the near future.James Kennedy, midwest multi-instrumentalist and composer, offers up eight instrumental pieces designed beautifully to mix world musical flavors from South America to the Middle East. Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Guitar, all performed with quality by Kennedy, filling the air with lush tapestries and exotic rhythms. Relaxing. Kennedy's guitar work, particularly his single line melodies, are reminiscent of George Benson. His electric work is pure Adult Contemporary ear candy, with sustained rich high notes - chorused, delayed, and reverb attached ala Scholz's Rockman timbre. The highlight of the disc are the compositions themselves, as Kennedy mixes up interesting rhythms with jazz/fusion key changes within a more "easy listening" instrumental style. The tone of the CD is based on Kennedy's dedication, "this project is for all the people who make their way, against all odds, Across the Borders to Freedom". And the titles of the tunes reflect the inspiration as they are taken from historical geographic struggles from the world's history, from Desert freedom marches, to underground escapes.

Location Mt. Vernon, IA - USA

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