Kevin Kern
Kevin Kern (born Kevin Lark Gibbs on December 22, 1958) is an American pianist, composer and recording artist of new-age music. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is now generally recognized as a representative of the new-age style. Born legally blind, Kern is aided in studio by SONAR’s accessibility and Dancing Dots’ assistive music technologies for the vision impaired.
Kevin Kern | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Kevin Lark Gibbs |
Born | December 22, 1958 |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
Genres | New-age, light classical |
Occupation(s) | Steinway Artist, Composer, Recording Artist |
Instruments | Piano |
Years active | 1996-present |
Labels | Real Music (1996-2011) Kevin Kern Music (2012-present) |
Website | KevinKern.com |
Biography
Kevin was found playing "Silent Night" on the piano at 18 months of age. He started learning the piano regularly at 4 and began writing music at 8. At 14, he put on performances with the music group he founded called "The Well-Tempered Clavichord". Despite his legal blindness since birth, he was still determined to be a pianist.
His first performance in Asia was in Taiwan, in 2002.
He has released ten albums, including a compilation album, and two songbooks. He also has released a Japan-only CD and songbook, as well as another album only in Asia.
Personal life
Kevin Kern is married to Pamela Gibbs, a former cardiac transplant nurse and product manager for several medical device companies. According to the liner notes of his album, Embracing the Wind, the couple were married in June 2001 on the island of Maui, Hawaii, in a private ceremony with friends and family present. The song "From This Day Forward" from the same CD was written for and dedicated to her. She has been mentioned in his album credits several times, including playing the rainstick on "Through the Veil" on The Winding Path and catering several recording sessions. After living for several years in San Francisco, they moved to Minneapolis, MN in 2007.
Discography
Kevin Kern discography | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 10 |
Compilation albums | 2 |
Studio albums
- 1996 — In the Enchanted Garden
- 1997 — Beyond the Sundial
- 1998 — Summer Daydreams
- 1999 — In My Life
- 2001 — Embracing the Wind
- 2003 — The Winding Path
- 2005 — Imagination's Light
- 2009 — Endless Blue Sky
- 2012 — Enchanted Piano
- 2012 — Christmas
- 2016 — When I Remember
Compilation albums
- 2002 — More Than Words: The Best of Kevin Kern
- 2014 — Always Near - A Romantic Collection
Other album appearances
- 1997 — Eternity: A Romantic Collection
- 1997 — Tranquility
- 1997 — Piano Dreamers
- 2002 — Sacred Spa Music Series
- 2005 — Real Piano
- 2006 — InSparation
- 2009 — Sacred Spa Music Series 2
Songbooks
- 2001 — Kevin Kern Piano Album Songbook
- 2002 — Through Your Eyes: Kevin Kern Collection Songbook (Japan Only)
- 2006 — In the Enchanted Garden Songbook
- 2008 — Imagination's Light Songbook
Kevin Kern has also released a total of 62 individual solo piano sheet music arrangements to date that are available on MusicNotes.com.