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Kenn Smith

When the family move to the south-side of Chicago in 1975, Smith began his guitar studies at age 13 with a visit to the local music store purchasing two Mel Bay books. In 1977, the family moved to Maywood, Illinois, were at age 16 he began classical studies with guitarist Bruce Walters for a year, and later continue studies at Jack Cecchini Studio in Chicago till 1982. While attending Proviso East High School, he played electric guitar and timpani in the Proviso Township Orchestra and guitar and bass in the Proviso East High School jazz band, were he received the Louis Armstrong Award for Outstanding Jazz Improvisation during his senior year. In 1982, Kenn began his career teaching guitar at Robinson's Music Academy in his home town of Maywood, Illinois, as well as performing with local funk and fusion bands in said town and the Chicago area. All while attending Columbia College of Chicago, studying music management and production. In 1987 he attend the American Conservatory of Music where he studied jazz guitar and composition. In between those years of teaching, performing and study, Kenn became a avid fan of progressive rock and fusion and developing skills as a guitarist, bassist and composer in said styles. In 1986, he began developing his skills as a freelance guitarist and bassist while performing on Chicago's jazz, blues and rock scene. But it wasn't till 1989 his professional career took off, working as a guitarist with the Chicago Cotton Club Monday Night Open Mic Band. Sharing the stage with many future greats Bernie Mac, R. Kelly and many others who got their start there. It was also where he later formed his first jazz trio and open for jazz greats Shirley Horn, Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Cole (brother of Nat King Cole), Najee, Art Porter. As a jazz side man he played with jazz greats Jodie Christian, Guy Fricano, Johnny Frigo, Najee and many others. 1992, he was asked to tour as a guitarist with the famed R&B group the Chi-Lites, and did so until 1994. He then went on to tour and perform with many other great performers in various styles of music as a guitarist or bassist. As a recording artist for his own label Kenn Smith Music, he has written, produced and performed on all instruments of his five (5) releases. All are available for download at CD Baby, iTunes and other online music sites.

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Tags

"Cnet Download.Com Contemporary Jazz Featured Artist, Illinois-based axeman Kenn Smith, who has played with the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Stanley Jordan, summons an effortlessly cool sound from both bass and guitar. His agile, arcing riffs suggest influences ranging from Scofield to Santana, and his jazz- fusion stylings are as soulful as they are slick." —Download.com Editor's Review

"Short Stories is a stupendous album! You are a fine bassist" —Warren Murchiie/ Bass Inside Magazine

Kenn Smith is a composer, bass and guitar player who's consistently described as "gifted" and "in-the-pocket" by fans and fellow musicians

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

12pm to 7pm. $60 per hour. Guitar and Bass instructor for 30. Teaching hundreds students all styles and techniques. Most of his students are well known recording artist and musicians. By way of the internet has taught more than 17,000 students

Clinic/Workshop Information

Bass clinican for 5 years. "I went to Kenn's clinic at Guitar Center. What a great player he is! I think I was the only non-bass player there, but it didn't matter

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Vintage Me

Kenn Smith Music
2014

buy

If I Remember

KSM Music
2013

buy

Moving On

From: Vintage Me
By Kenn Smith

Videos

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