Reader Spotlight: Scott Kemp

Scott KempMeet bassist Scott Kemp, our player in the spotlight for August 3, 2010.

Bio:

Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and a graduate of the Humber College Jazz Studies Program in Toronto (2004), Scott Kemp is a busy bassist in Toronto for the last ten years. Scott has recorded four albums (two juno nominations) with the multiple award winning artist Elizabeth Shepherd, and he has toured extensively throughout the world with her including performances at the Cotton Club in Tokyo Japan, The North Seas Jazz Festival in The Netherlands, The Jazz Café in London UK, The Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood California USA, and jazz festivals and clubs across Canada and The US. He has also recorded live to radio and television (CBC) several times. Scott released his album ‘Introductions’ in November 2009, and has been gaining momentum with the band ever since. He has opened the stage for international luminaries Jamie Cullum, The Count Basie Orchestra, Christian McBride, Victor Wooten, The Five Corners Quintet, and Spanky Wilson and The Quantic Soul Orchestra. Scott’s collaborations include performances with the juno winning big band NOJO, Don Byron, Michael Occhipinti, David Gogo, Alexander Maxsimiw, Lori Cullen, Shannon Butcher, Swing Rosie, The Maisies, Elvis Bossa Nova, Max Sennitt, Amanda Martinez, Heather Bambrick, Nick Ali, William Carn, Kevin Turcotte, Peter Hill, Dylan Murray, and many others.

Location:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Day gig:

I am full time musician.

Years experience:

18 years

Bands & Gigs:

Yes. I have been the bassist with Elizabeth Shepherd for five years. We have toured all over the world playing at festivals and clubs. I also have my own band, and have gotten some more localized gigs at clubs and couple of jazz festivals in Southern Ontario. I work with a whole bunch of different musicians in Toronto doing everything from club dates in pop music (Dylan Murray), to various types of society events in a ‘jobbing’ setting playing everything from Jazz to rock.

Gear:

  • Peter Chandler 3/4 upright hand-made double bass
  • Mongrel Yamaha 4 string active bass
  • Euphonic Audio Micro i-amp head
  • Euphonic audio 10′ speaker cab.
  • Behringer BDI 21 preamp

Why I play the bass:

It had two less strings than a guitar (haha!). Also, I was playing the tuba at the time, and that was not cool being a 14 year old, and the big band at school didn’t have a bassist, and my band teacher knew that I could read a bit of bass clef, and that I was a little rocker guitar player, so he gave to me the very slick black yamaha electric bass that belonged to the school to get familiar with, and I have never looked back.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

Opening the stage for Victor Wooten (with Elizabeth Shepherd) at the Jazz Cafe in London UK. Also, opening the stage for Christian McBride and Jamie Cullum at the Hollywood Bowl in LA USA (also with Elizabeth Shepherd). Also, appearing at the North Seas Jazz Festival in Rotterdam Netherlands (Elizabeth Shepherd), and seeing all of the best jazz musicians in the world rip it up doing their thing for the rest of the weekend!!

My influences

Paul Chambers, Dave Holland, Larry Grenadier, Avishai Cohen, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, George Porter Jr., James Jamerson, Miles, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, anything with rhythm…

More on the web:

Want to be featured in an upcoming Reader Spotlight? Just fill out the interview questionnaire.

Get daily bass updates.

Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning.

Leave a Reply to Dad&Mom Cancel reply

  1. Kris

    Props to my fellow Winnipeg bassist! Best of luck in all your future endeavours, man!

  2. Player Spotlight: Scott Kemp: Meet bassist Scott Kemp, our player in the spotlight for August 3, 2010.
    Bio:
    Origin… http://bit.ly/9n6I2J
    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  3. Dad&Mom

    Great work, Scott!! Always nice to be recognized for all of your hard work.

  4. mattea

    Great write-up…yay for my brilliant Uncle Scott!

  5. Terry

    Hey Scott, FANTASTIC!! You must be super-pumped!