Kevin Spears - Vocals, Lead Kalimba, Bass Kalimba, Kaossilator, Percussion, Keyboard------ Pino McKoy - HandSonic, Electric and Acoustic Bass
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, Earl Klugh, George Benson, Kirk Whalum, Fourplay.
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Conisdered by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin KalimbaMan Spears gift on electric kalimba/sanza has astounded audiences around the world. He is a performer of truly exceptional virtuosity and creativity who balances the ethereal acoustic sound of kalimba while advancing the infinite sonic possiblities of kalimba coupled with modern electronics.
In addition to his own mesmerizing performances, KalimbaMan has worked with and/or opened for the likes of: Victor Wooten, Col. Bruce Hampton, Toubab Krewe, Arrested Develpment, Pos / De La Soul, Mamadou Doumbia (Salif Keita), Eric Benet, Bill Summers (Herbie Hancock, HeadHunters), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson, Yonrico Scott Band (Derek Trucks), Moziak (Fela Kuti), John Roberts (Janet Jackson), Divinity (Beyonce, Victor Wooten) and India.Arie.
The kalimba / sanza is an African instrument derived from the ancient musical instrument of Zimbabwe called mbira. This class of musical instruments (lamellophone) contains metal, bamboo or wooden strips (keys/tines) that are fastened atop a small acoustic resonating body. The sanza / kalimba is known throughout Africa by many names including: likembe, ikembe, kisanji, kongoma, and a bass version used in the Carribean called marimbula.
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 this exotic musical instrument he heard Maurice White, the leader of of Earth, Wind and Fire playing. 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.
Thank you for inviting me to your Yokohama Aka-renga Souko's show. I'm glad you invited me. However, unfortunately I can't attend. I have nothing but best wishes for you. So, I'm crossing my fingers for you. Keep up the fantastic work. Last but not least, I wish you a merry Christmas. =).
Nice to meet you. Thanks for finding me. And welcome to Jpan!
Dec 19 2009 8:39 AM
Kevin! We had a great time playing music with you in Athens! Let's definitely keep the link...maybe another show together in the nearby future. Talk to you soon.
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Just wanted to thank you for the soul you give with the Kalimba, you have the gift my brother to make ones soulshine. Hope all is well and welcome the next "Kalimbrence" jam with the wings of positive soulfulogic. Peeace and Jah Bless Alwayz ..........................
