A smile graces Kerry's face as he reminisces about his childhood in Houston, Texas where he was born and raised. He vividly recalls the sizzling summers of backyard barbeques and get-togethers with the sounds of Hendrix, Funkadelic and Santana. As a boy, he would imagine that it was he who was on those records performing those awesome guitar licks as the euphoria swelled within him. Kerry set out to make this dream a reality by enrolling in guitar lessons at the age of 12. Kerry's giftedness would enable him to join his first band at the age of 16. The following year his high school stage band recruited him where he expanded his knowledge of chart reading and jazz chording. Displaying his abounding versatility on lead and rhythm guitar, he would go on to showcase his talent in various local funk, r&b, pop/rock, and tejano bands.
Kerry began to feel a strong inner pull and taste for contemporary jazz peppered with a bit of funk. On his quest to find that special blend, he would spend evenings checking out Houston's jazz venues. He was so captivated by the jazz vibe that he began writing and performing original funk laced jazz compositions.
In 1989, Kerry would be re-introduced to a saxophonist extraordinaire named Kyle Turner. The two had been friends for years and had performed together on occasion. They reunited and formed a contemporary jazz band, Kyle Turner and Standing Room Only. The band played together for over ten years and opened for such artists as: The Rippingtons, Spyro Gyra, Richard Elliot, Michael Franks, Najee, Alex Bugnon, Joe McBride, Acoustic Alchemy, Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson, Jr., Stanley Clarke, Gerald Albright, Peabo Bryson, Natalie Cole, Roger Troutman & Zapp, The Bar-Kay's and many more.
Kerry has also electricified audiences on-stage with Kim Waters, Marion Meadows, Kirk Whalum, Bobby Lyle, Billy Paul, Ronnie Laws, Melba Moore, Howard Hewitt, Gerald Alston and many others.
Kerry is considered a musical genius by many of his peers and during recording sessions regularly "lays down" his solo and/or part in one or two takes.
From his arsenal of diverse talents, his primary instrument is guitar. He also produces, writes, arranges and plays bass guitar, keyboards, and drums. He is also a host of a weekly jazz radio show in Austin, Texas.
This solo project is long awaited and is sure to take its place among the most discriminating CD collections. If it's Soft, Romantic, R&B, Latin and/or Contemporary Jazz you seek, you have come to the right place. Ladies and Gentlemen, we INTRODUCE to you, the smooth and dynamic sounds of Kerry Wilkins.
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