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Kevin So
Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Kevin So is one of the most exciting and powerful
singers and songwriters to emerge from the Boston
music scene. Making a name for himself as a
boundary-stretching singer and songwriter, So's
original blend of pop, rhythm and blues, and hip
hop has garnered the attention and praise from
Billy Bragg, Martin Sexton, Mary Lou Lord, Richie
Havens, David Wilcox, and most recently Keb Mo.
The Boston Globe (Steve Morse, May 1995) described So as
"Riveting...impeccable."
Kevin is one of the most recognized artists in the
Asian American community. He, too admits that
"there aren’t enough of us." Fans all over the
world have caught on to So's lyrical truths and
his knack for engaging people through his music,
intense storytelling, and foot stomping
performances. He has been nominated eight times
for the Boston Music Awards and has opened for
some of the industry's best known acts including
Joe Cocker, Randy Newman, Richie Havens, Billy
Bragg, Mary Lou Lord, Livingston Taylor, Martin
Sexton, Robben Ford, Chris Smither, and Dar
Williams.
Kevin was invited in 2002 to perform at MY
AMERICA, a tribute held by AURA (Asians United to
Raise Awareness) at The World in Times Square
in commemoration of the tragic events of September
11. He has also played the main stage at the
world-renowned Kerrville Music Festival in Texas
as well as such famed clubs as The Fillmore West
in San Francisco,
Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, The Kennedy Center
in Washington,
D.C., and The Beacon Theater and The Bottom Line
in New York City.
Kevin's love of people and community are not only
illustrated in his music, but also in his sense of
civic obligation. In addition to a rigorous tour
schedule, Kevin has performed at many charity
fundraising benefits for organizations such as The
New England Home for Little Wanderers, the
American Heart Association, ANYTOWN New England,
and the Judge Baker Children's Center.
Kevin, a Chinese American born
and raised in greater
Boston, attended Boston Latin School and went on
to Los Angeles to graduate from the University of
Southern California with a Bachelor's Degree in
Jazz Studies. From there, he moved back to the East Coast, and for 10 weeks, worked as a
professional keyboardist for Premier Cruise Lines
that took him back and forth from Cape Canaveral
to the Bahamas. Kevin then joined a cover band
called XPO, and as a singer, keyboardist,
guitarist, and dancer, performed at various clubs
across the United States. Tired of performing Top
40 material, Kevin hung up his "cover band hat"
and decided to hit the highly competitive open mic
Boston circuit in January 1995 performing his own
songs.
Since then, Kevin
has produced eight independently released CDs,
including his latest "Leaving The Lights On"
- what he describes as "my Asian American Songs in
The Key of Life... my Quan-drophenia" combining
such diverse influences as Stevie Wonder, Bruce
Springsteen, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Marvin
Gaye with a little bit of Richard Pryor thrown in.
Confronting identity, relationships, history,
family, and racism, this recording is one of the
most talked about albums of the year.
Now with a rigorous touring schedule, and sold out
shows at Club Passim in Cambridge and Schubas in
Chicago, Kevin So is quickly becoming one of the
most sought after artists on the national music
scene. More significant, he is an important voice
for our generation and for generations to come.
To find out more about Kevin So, please visit his
official website:
www.kevinso.com
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