Luther Kent - vocalist
Luther Kent was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. At age 14 Luther began singing professionally and signed with Louisiana based Montel Records. His first record was released under the name of Duke Royal, and the song was “I Wanna Know”. Luther toured the country for a three year period while being managed by Walt Daisy who also handled Wayne Cochran & the C.C.Riders.
In 1970 Luther became lead singer for a group who previously was the rhythm section for Atlantic records at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida. This group became known as “Cold Grits” who was signed to Lou Adlers Ode Records in Los Angeles. Personal problems erupted within the group and Luther became bound to a lengthy contract. Shortly after the breakup of “Cold Grits” Luther was asked to come aboard as new lead singer for “Blood, Sweat & Tears”. He did their world tour dates in 1974-75 and part of 76. During this time he learned he would not be granted a release from Ode records, therefore he was never allowed to record with the world famous group.
Luther now went solo to record his first album at Abby Road studios in London, England. The album is call “Luther Kent World Class” The album featured the Brecker Brothers with members from the London symphony and the London Philharmonic and was arranged by Dell Newman.
In 1978 Luther teamed up with former musical director for Wayne Cochran, Charlie Brent. They formed a large New Orleans horn band which became known as “Luther Kent & Trick Bag”. This became the after hours band for many named artists to sit in with, whenever they were visiting New Orleans.
During the ten year period of “Trick Bag” Luther released 3 CD's while winning a Cleo award with another Louisiana artist known to many as John Fred of “Judy In Disguise” fame. From doing many radio & TV commercials Luther is also a multi “Addy” award winner. In 1987 Dallas based Independent record promoter Ernie Phillips signed Luther to FM records. Ernie immediately introduced Luther to Grammy Award winning producer Mike Post who produced the album “Past Due”. Mike being one of the hottest producers of TV themes later cast Luther in a singing role of the show “COP ROCK”.
Other product recently released on Luther has included an album called “Classic Songs”. Two releases with the multitalented Texas/Louisiana based band know as “The Chicken Hawks” under the leadership of Jack Calmes featuring such greats as Al “TNT” Braggs and the “White Trash” horn section. Another release on Red Hot Records is titled, “Luther Kent “Down In New Orleans”.
Now in 2009 with his most ambitious project to date, Luther Kent caps a forty plus year career as a roots artist with a deft re-imagination of the Bobby Bland canon into blues-tinged big band standards with help from charts by New Orleans arranging legend Wardell Quezergue. With his new album, Luther Kent comes full circle. “The Bobby Bland Songbook” brings the dyed-in-the-wool New Orleans music advocate”he’s in both the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame--back to the important life experience that launched his 46 years-and-counting career as a roots artist whose special mix of blues and soul has thrilled audiences worldwide.
