KalimbaMan

BIO: "Kevin Spears puts on a performance full of groove, sound and intimacy that draws you into his unique yet universal world". Benoit Glaser -Musical Director Cirque Du Soleil AfroPop World-Wide states: "Kevin Spears utilizes the traditional African instrument and tweaks it to create a soulful, funky sound that would make Stevie Wonder smile." Hailed as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears' is a one-of-a-kind musical artist who's breathtaking ability on an electrified version of the traditional African instrument called kalimba, is often compared to music legends such as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix, Bobby McFerrin and Les Paul. Playing since the age of 10, Spears through prayer and musical exploration organically created a very unique way of tuning and playing kalimba that allows him to play live three to five distinct musical parts simultaneously that is uniquely his own. His unique playing style and connection with his audience has wowed many music lovers around the world. Along with the kalimba, Spears has also used cutting-edge technology and creativity to design and build by hand a musical device that allows him to literally be an 8-piece Band/Orchestra masterfully incorporating piano, violin, cello, flute, synths, horn sounds to create a one-of-a-kind live performance without using any pre-recorded backing tracks. This musical device he affectionately calls his Tone Table. As a songwriter and composer of original music, Spears’ exceptionally broad musical appeal is due to his love and mastery of musical styles from Dance, Funk, Jazz, World, Salsa, Flamenco to Yanni-like New Age Piano that he vibrantly weaves into his live performances. Mr. Spears has been a featured artist and lecturer at prestigious corporate events and colleges around the world including TED-x, The NAMM Show (Anaheim California), Music China (Shanghai), Georgia State University, University of Kentucky, University of Florida, Morehouse College, Musikmesse (Frankfurt Germany), Jazz Funk Africa (Yokohama Japan), and has performed with world-class and Grammy-Award winning artists including Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Karen Briggs (Yanni), Col. Bruce Hampton, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Rising Appalachia, Divinity (Beyonce), Sam Sims (Janet & Michael Jackson) and was also honored to be featured in concert with members of the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire.