Kevin Coombs

"….Coombs’ finessed vocal songs are reminiscent of a jazzier James Taylor while his tasteful, guitar-based instrumentals echo everything from the lite Fusion of Larry Carlton to the pastoral folk-jazz of Pat Metheny”--Listen.com ____________________________________________________________ ____If a simple, sleepy, once-coal mining town like Nanticoke, Pennsylvania could be thought of as a creative center of musical fusion, then Bourbon Street is a “wholesome family-friendly resort for kids of all ages”! Yet, there always seems to exist, even in the most unorthodox of settings, one tiny little fragment that stands alone and separate. One would enter the City of Nanticoke, traversing the hilly streets within the residential area of town-and on to Green Street to find such an “oddity”. No signs point you there, but there is a white house nestled in the middle of a block where Kevin Coombs is diligently at work, in a simple basement studio…frustrated and tired…he has, after all, been up into the wee hours trying to find the exact “seasoning” (as he would call it) to give his lively melody “the essence of Beatles psychedelia, circa 1967”. (apologies to Emeril Lagasse!) On another given night, he might be trying 20 to 30 takes to get a guitar solo up to par, or experimenting with various musical textures, from Aaron Copland-influenced string arrangements to Brazilian samba….possibly, even fusing the two. Kevin has been described as an “intuitive” musician, relying mostly on a vast diversity of influences and tastes-from Mozart to Miles Davis. He relies largely on what his ears “tell him”, although he is an accomplished schooled musician with a Bachelor of Music degree, from self-taught beginnings. His eclectic style is always evolving as a result of this “open-mindedness”. The instrumentals he composes are textural and very often just as descriptive and implicit as his impassioned vocal work. Yet, on the turn of a dime, he might do a simple and lovely acoustic guitar/vocal ballad. In May of 2000, he released “Caught You Looking”, his first CD on MP3.COM. A virtual unknown, his music quickly began to earn the praise of fellow artists and listeners all over the world. In fact, his tender vocal ballad “Arielle” climbed as high as number 27 on the worldwide MP3.COM smooth jazz charts, and the lively samba “Say Ya Will” garnered the number 2 spot on the Brazilian charts.One just never knows what musical flavors Kevin Coombs will decide to add to the menu. His creativity and inspiration comes from the moment, and seems to dictate its self. One thing is for sure….whatever he decides to create will have flavor, texture, and seasoning…and will look great on the plate. Oh!…and by the way….he IS, also…one HELL of a great cook! ____________________________________________________________ ____ “….This melody is intriguing. In the tradition of singers like Cat Stevens you will appreciate the acoustic guitar and the vocals.”-More Grooves (MP3.COM) Free MySpace Layouts by Iron Spider