Kemp Harris

Kemp Harris

Genres: blues, gospel, delta blues, americana, crossover

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About Kemp Harris

Kemp Harris is a composer, musician, author and actor and teacher. Born in North Carolina, Kemp taught himself piano and was writing songs at age 14. As a musician and composer, Kemp has shared the stage with Taj Mahal, Gil Scott-Heron, and Koko Taylor. He has written and performed original compositions in the United States and Europe for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and WGBH public television. Kemp currently maintains a songwriting residency at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts in Boston in conjunction with Berklee College of Music, assisting talented young artists with composition and performance. Kemp's previous release, "Sometimes in Bad Weather", draws upon his diverse background and creative influences. The album is a thoughtful tapestry exploring the intersection of American roots music, jazz, and African folk influences; it features the acclaimed "If Loneliness was Black", a piece Kemp composed and performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As an actor, Kemp has performed in television, film, and on stage. His more recent work includes Mirimax's "Next Stop Wonderland" and Steven Spielberg's "Amistad". When Kemp isn't busy writing songs or performing, he's working with kids as a teacher of over 20 years and published children's author. Kemp's upcoming album, entitled Edenton, looks back to Kemp's North Carolina roots and features the backing vocals of the Holmes Brothers.

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