Kevin Smith (musician)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Smith is an American composer
, arranger
, producer
, vocalist and keyboardist
who is Chicago-based. He is a current member of the rhythm and blues band known as the Chicago Catz
.
, Shindig
, Rock Concert
, Midnight Special
, and Lawrence Welk
. Also, radio wasn’t as segmented as it is today. So Kevin heard jazz, country, rock & roll, classical and R&B with equal interest. When he was about 7 or 8 a neighbor had a piano and Kevin learned Boogie-woogie
in F sharp and Heart & Soul in C by ear. He started playing the saxophone
in the 4th grade. That was when he learned to read music and learn the mechanics then it became real to me. His interest in music was piqued.
Formal education includes Thornwood High School
- South Holland, IL , Kishwaukee College
– Malta, IL, and Northern Illinois University
– DeKalb, IL. Kevin's musical influences are Maurice Ravel
, Clarence Wheeler
, Chuck Mangione
, Quincy Jones
, Leonard Bernstein
, James Brown
, George Clinton
, The Beatles
, as well as the television shows Hee Haw
, The Ed Sullivan Show
, Hollywood Palace, The Gary Moore Show, and Jubilee Showcase.
Kevin's musical style is considered eclectic. Having been exposed to so many differing genres and styles, he likes to (when possible) mix it up stylistically. Most of the projects he has worked on are R&B oriented, but he appreciates the sophisticated harmonies of gospel
, nice string arrangements and "rocked out" guitars whenever possible. The aspect of music Kevin likes best is the ability to express emotions vocally or instrumentally. He has a background in sound design and likes to employ sound effects as well as music to convey a feeling.
as the arranger on the "Save Tonight For Me" album. He was one of Smith's biggest influences as an arranger and to spend time collaborating with one of the masters was one of the most inspiring moments of his career.
Kevin is quioted as saying, "Let your music be as unique as you are...".
Recently, Kevin did 3 tours Of Italy in 2004, 2005, and 2007 with the traditional gospel group, Tecora Rogers & The Chicago Spirituals. He has performed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, Bahamas, Washington D.C. with the Chicago Catz.
Kevin taught Commercial Music Production at Columbia College in their marketing department. He also has substituted as a music teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. Kevin has led music therapy groups for the Thresholds Organization in Chicago
. He curtrently teaches keyboard/theory privately when not playing with the Chicago Catz and as a sideman in several other musical projects.
, "Downtown" Tony Brown, Richard Peter Davis, Mark Ohlsen, Wayne Stewart (musician), David Gross (musician), Josie Aiello, Devin Thompson (musician), James A. Perkins, Jr., and Tony "Toca" Carpenter.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, vocalist and keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
who is Chicago-based. He is a current member of the rhythm and blues band known as the Chicago Catz
Chicago Catz
Chicago Catz is a Chicago, Illinois area cover band that was formed in 1986 by five noteworthy musicians. Approaching their third decade, "The Catz", as they are affectionately known, have become one of the Windy City's most established professional R&B pop music bands...
.
Musical education and influences
As a child, Kevin always listened to the music around him, from church broadcasts with his grandmother to television shows like American BandstandAmerican Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
, Shindig
Shindig
Shindig may refer to:*Shindig!, a '60s American music variety television show*"Shindig" , an episode of the television series Firefly*Shindig , an open-source software implementation of the OpenSocial standard...
, Rock Concert
Rock concert
The term rock concert refers to a musical performance in the style of any one of many genres inspired by "rock and roll" music. While a variety of vocal and instrumental styles can constitute a rock concert, this phenomenon is typically characterized by bands playing at least one electric guitar,...
, Midnight Special
Midnight Special
Midnight Special may refer to:* "Midnight Special" , a song popularized by Lead Belly* Midnight Special * Midnight Special...
, and Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982...
. Also, radio wasn’t as segmented as it is today. So Kevin heard jazz, country, rock & roll, classical and R&B with equal interest. When he was about 7 or 8 a neighbor had a piano and Kevin learned Boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie has the following meanings:*Boogie-woogie, a piano-based music style*Boogie-woogie , a swing dance or a dance that imitates the rock-n-roll dance of the 1950s*"Boogie Woogie" , a song by EuroGroove and Dannii Minogue...
in F sharp and Heart & Soul in C by ear. He started playing the saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
in the 4th grade. That was when he learned to read music and learn the mechanics then it became real to me. His interest in music was piqued.
Formal education includes Thornwood High School
Thornwood High School
Thornwood High School is a public high school located in South Holland, Illinois. It was built as part of Thornton Township High Schools District 205.-History:...
- South Holland, IL , Kishwaukee College
Kishwaukee College
Kishwaukee College is a community college located west of Malta, Illinois. The campus is rural in nature, and is surrounded on all four sides by corn fields....
– Malta, IL, and Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
– DeKalb, IL. Kevin's musical influences are Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
, Clarence Wheeler
Clarence Wheeler
Clarence E. Wheeler was an American musician and composer. He created the music for many of Woody Woodpecker series cartoons under Walter Lantz Productions along with films in the 1940s....
, Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione
Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good." Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960.-Early life and career:...
, Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
, James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, George Clinton
George Clinton (musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, as well as the television shows Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
, The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
, Hollywood Palace, The Gary Moore Show, and Jubilee Showcase.
Kevin's musical style is considered eclectic. Having been exposed to so many differing genres and styles, he likes to (when possible) mix it up stylistically. Most of the projects he has worked on are R&B oriented, but he appreciates the sophisticated harmonies of gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
, nice string arrangements and "rocked out" guitars whenever possible. The aspect of music Kevin likes best is the ability to express emotions vocally or instrumentally. He has a background in sound design and likes to employ sound effects as well as music to convey a feeling.
Early career
Smith's father managed a band that Kevin and his sister and brother performed in. They did gigs all over the Chicago area playing clubs and private parties during high school years. Out of this musical family, Kevin was the only one that decided to go professional.Later career
In 1985 Kevin had the honor of working with Chuck MangioneChuck Mangione
Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good." Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960.-Early life and career:...
as the arranger on the "Save Tonight For Me" album. He was one of Smith's biggest influences as an arranger and to spend time collaborating with one of the masters was one of the most inspiring moments of his career.
Kevin is quioted as saying, "Let your music be as unique as you are...".
Recently, Kevin did 3 tours Of Italy in 2004, 2005, and 2007 with the traditional gospel group, Tecora Rogers & The Chicago Spirituals. He has performed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, Bahamas, Washington D.C. with the Chicago Catz.
Kevin taught Commercial Music Production at Columbia College in their marketing department. He also has substituted as a music teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. Kevin has led music therapy groups for the Thresholds Organization in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He curtrently teaches keyboard/theory privately when not playing with the Chicago Catz and as a sideman in several other musical projects.
Current musical associations
Kevin has worked with many "world class" musicians and session recording artists including the Chicago CatzChicago Catz
Chicago Catz is a Chicago, Illinois area cover band that was formed in 1986 by five noteworthy musicians. Approaching their third decade, "The Catz", as they are affectionately known, have become one of the Windy City's most established professional R&B pop music bands...
, "Downtown" Tony Brown, Richard Peter Davis, Mark Ohlsen, Wayne Stewart (musician), David Gross (musician), Josie Aiello, Devin Thompson (musician), James A. Perkins, Jr., and Tony "Toca" Carpenter.
External links
- http://www.youtube.com/user/chicagocatzmusic
- http://www.myspace.com/chicagocatz
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-CHICAGO-CATZ/92014294499