Steve Kimock Band

The Steve Kimock Band defies simple categorization. Its players are renowned artists with diverse musical influences and a shared love of stretching sonic boundaries. Its music is a kaleidoscope of innovative compositions and dazzling improvisations that range from the rush of exploratory fusion and funk, to the roar of psychedelic rock, to the whisper of a ballad so haunting and sweet that audiences fall silent under its spell. Its live performances are incendiary marathons of musical creation and on-stage chemistry that are unlike anything else in music today.

Steve Kimock is known for his uncanny ability to balance passion and power with soaring grace.

The Steve Kimock Band is always evolving, reflecting Kimock’s ceaseless search for new musical horizons. And the band’s signature sound, built around the core of Kimock’s lyrical guitar lines and the inventive percussion style of drummer Rodney Holmes (Brecker Brothers, Santana, Wayne Shorter), follows SKB through every incarnation. "I’ve always been intrigued by Steve’s guitar playing," Holmes said. "Working together we have an opportunity to create music that’s indefinable stylistically. That’s something I’ve always been interested in - shaping new music and moving in new directions, creating an identity as a band that doesn’t fall into any category." Kimock agrees. "What we’re doing is difficult to pigeonhole. It represents a sampling of half a dozen writing periods for Rodney and me, separately and as co-composers. There is improvisation, but the tunes are straight ahead, so it isn’t jazz. It’s rock, but there are hints of African, Arab and Indian music, and it’s all instrumental, so it doesn’t fall easily into a slot."

The band was formed in February 2000 in San Francisco. Joining Kimock and Holmes in the current line-up of SKB are Robert Walter (keys, organ) and Reed Mathis (bass). Holmes is a Grammy award-winning drummer, recognized for his explosive power, graceful touch, and an unparalleled ability to play multiple rhythms simultaneously. He has performed with a diverse and talented mix of world-class musicians from the Brecker Brothers to Santana to Wayne Shorter and his unique approach to drumming is hugely influential in creating SKB’s signature sound. Robert Walter, the definitive soul-jazz organist of his generation, has earned international acclaim for his work with the Greyboy All-Stars and pioneering his own groups, the 20th Congress and Super Heavy Organ. Rounding out this powerhouse quartet is Reed Mathis, an an up and coming bass player, bringing a whole lot of positive energy and innovative bass playing to SKB.

Live performances of the Steve Kimock Band are the stuff of legends. Audiences come to experience the vivid musical imagination of the players, celebrate the power of sound that moves the soul, and share in the sheer thrill of new music created nightly. Widely admired for the quality of its live sound engineering, SKB is one of the most frequently-recorded touring acts today.

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