Mike Kennedy

Mike Kennedy is a guitarist, composer, music educator, producer and arranger.

He has been performing in Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic regions since 1989 and continues stretching his boundaries. Mike’s varied musical interests have shaped the sound of his music in unique ways. Fusing Pop, Rock and Jazz is something that has surfaced organically over the years.

Mike Kennedy is a guitarist, composer, music educator, producer and arranger.

He has been performing in Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic regions since 1989 and continues stretching his boundaries. Mike’s varied musical interests have shaped the sound of his music in unique ways. Fusing Pop, Rock and Jazz is something that has surfaced organically over the years.

Mike’s first self-released CD, “Quartet No. 1” (2002), received stellar reviews and has been featured on radio stations worldwide. This recording features Chris Farr (saxophone), Lucas Brown (organ), and Dan Monaghan (drums). The composition “Teahouse” was featured in Jazz Improv Magazine, Vol. 4 #3 and on its accompanying CD.

“Idle Afternoon,” Mike’s second CD, was self-released in 2006 and features Mike Frank (piano), Paul Gehman (bass), and Dan Monaghan (drums), and has been included on radio and internet radio playlists from Canada to Australia and Japan.

Since the release of “Idle Afternoon,” Mike has been involved in various recording projects as a sideman, arranger and producer and has had his original music featured in cable movies.

Originally from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Mike moved to Philadelphia in 1987, where he began studying Jazz guitar at the University of The Arts, and received his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Mike is currently the Guitar Department Chairperson at UARTS. Mike’s performance schedule over the past 20+ years has afforded him the opportunities of a variety of musical experiences. He has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists such as The Band, Jefferson Starship, Elton John, Michael Feinstein, Lou Rawls, Bernadette Peters, The Midtown Men and many renowned Philadelphia Jazz musicians including Larry McKenna, Bootsie Barnes and John Swana.