Kevin Spears - Vocals, Lead Kalimba, Bass Kalimba, Kaossilator, Percussion, Keyboard,
Influences
Paco De Lucia, Michael Jordan, Earth Wind and Fire, Miles Davis, Zakir Hussein, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clark, Salif Kieta, Stanley Jordan, Pat Metheny, Ronnie Laws, Chick Corea, Earl Klugh, George Benson, Kirk Whalum, John Lee Hooker, Fourplay.
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Kevin's gift on electric kalimba has astounded audiences around the world. In addition to his own performances, Spears has worked with or opened for the likes of: Victor Wooten, Legendary Col. Bruce Hampton, J.D Blair, Arrested Develpment, Eric Benet, Bill Summers (Herbie Hancock, HeadHunters), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson (U.K.), Yonrico Scott Band (Derek Trucks), William Green (Susan Tedeschi), Moziak (Fela Kuti), John Roberts (Janet Jackson), Divinity (Beyonce, Victor Wooten) and India.Arie.
During the winter of 1975, the gift of music became a tool of deep expression and solace when he requested, no begged his mother to buy him that exotic musical instrument he heard Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire play which is called Kalimba. Kevin recalls “When I picked up the Kalimba for the first time, I knew in my heart of hearts that this instrument was a gift from God and that He had many things for me to do in my life musically and that the Kalimba signify’s the unique calling placed on my life.”
Incredibly for the next 25 years, Kevin Spears communed with this instrument in complete isolation! During this time he says "It was slowly revealed to me that the kalimba has an almost hidden ability to mimic and utilize playing techniques and tonal qualities of many traditional instruments from around the world". With this new found intuition as a guide post, Kevin was endowed with an ability to play bass lines, rhythm guitar parts and melodies simultaneously Live while sprinkling subtle tonal and percussive arpeggiations with only two thumbs and one kalimba.
In the year 2000 Kevin began playing publicly and has wowed audiences ever since. He says "Initially I was extremely reluctant and had no desire to put on public display my interactions with this beautiful instrument. Expressing myself musically has always been a deeply moving, personal and private experience, but I now thank GOD for pushing me to share this gift with the world, it truly is an honor to do so ".
Then the inevitable happened: In the spring of 2001, Kevin began playing in larger venues and concluded that playing the kalimba under a microphone was quite awkward and limiting for him so he began to experiment with various electronics just as he did when he was a child. He concluded that the contact pickups used customarily for acoustic guitars would work best and so a brave new world opened up for him in that he could with the right tweaking utilize any guitar effect to create new and unusual sonic possibilities for the kalimba.
Drawing from many musical influences from around the world, Kevin aka "KalimbaMan" as his friends call him uniquely mixes these styles into a musical experience all his own. His music bridges Africa to America from Jazz to Rock, Funk to Flamenco with a powerful infusion of spirituality due to his personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
It is uniquely beautiful and inspiring to witness this artist who is totally one with his instrument!
Thanks Kevin. Appreciate you taking the time to lend us your ears.
Would you like a free song download? It would be my pleasure to give
you something from the new record. I would need your email address, if
your interested.
Thanks for the add Kevin "KalimbaMan" Spears, I love your sounds btw, awesome!
If you get a chance, please take a listen to our first Chill out release "Beach Music, Cafe Music & Bar Music Collection" by ACO Ambient Chill Out. We'd love to know what you think of it!
So nice to hear from you, Kevin, you're always welcomed! Did you knew that I just stopped by here yesterday? :)
Well my right hand is injured but getting better. I really want to let you know that your hand is holding your life to play your music... Keep them in safe, Kevin.
What a beautiful spring day you have blessed us with! The wonders of your work never cease to amaze! May your mercies rain down upon all of us. You are awesome! Lord, let our Faith never waiver. In your name we pray, Amen.
If you have a specific need please do not hesitate to comment or message us. Have an amazing week!
