BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Birth name: Kevin Smith
Origin: Chicago, Illinois)
Instrument: keyboardist, vocalist
Genre: R&B, pop, funk, soul, gospel
Born: February 20, 1956
Chicago, Illinois US
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BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith (born February 20, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois) 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.
As a child, Kevin always listened to the music around him, from church broadcasts with his grandmother to television shows like American Bandstand, 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.
Current musical associations
Kevin has worked with many “world class” musicians and session recording artists including the Chicago Catz, “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.
Discography
Albums
(1986) Chuck Mangione – “Save Tonight For Me”