About Me
Born in St. Louis, Kelvyn Bell had the advantage of being raised in the rich musical tradition that travels up and down the Mississippi River. He claims important native sons like W.C. Handy, Clark Terry, and Miles Davis as forebears. Taking up music at the age of twelve, he played in his high school marching band as his four older brothers had before him. His family has always been a source of inspiration. His brother Charles gave him his first guitar while his brother Dorian turned him on to a wide variety of records (Mandrill, Jazz Crusaders, Bob Marley, Eddie Palmieri, Maxanne, Tower of Power, etc.) which would significantly affect his future musical life.After noted reedman Oliver Lake gave him his first guitar lesson, Kelvyn spent his teens sneaking into the jazz and blues clubs that made up St. Louis' vibrant live music scene. Upon establishing a dance band at age fifteen, he secured his own opportunities to play in St. Louis. Through his connection with Mr. Lake he also performed with members of BAG (Black Artist Group), St. Louis' version of Chicagos AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Music) which included Lake, Hamiet Bluiett, Lester Bowie, and Joseph Bowie among others.It wasnt long after Kelvyn's St. Louis to New York migration in the late 70s that he began attracting attention. Touring and recording with one of saxophonist Arthur Blythe's most provocative ensembles, Kelvyn was soon recognized as a true innovator... successfully expressing a style that embodies funk, blues, energy, improvisation, and rhythm. He has continued to work regularly with Blythe since 1978 while leading his own band, Kelvynator, and collaborating with trombonist/vocalist Joseph Bowie in the New York-based jazz-funk band Defunkt. He is best known for these associations, but he also cites his first European tour with acclaimed avant-garde drummer Charles Bobo Shaw as a pivotal experience.By the time he formed Kelvynator in 1984, Kelvyn had absorbed elements of the avant-garde from Shaw, a creative progressive concept from Blythe, and the modern essence of funk from his work with Defunkt. Referencing these experiences in the formation of his own band, Kelvyn quotes, "Jazz is the teacher. Funk is the preacher." If Arthur Blythe was his jazz teacher, then Defunkt was the preacher, and Kelvynator is his own personal church. The man is on a serious mission to deliver exotic, rhythmelodic sophistication. When Kelvynator made their debut, New York Times critic Jon Pareles hailed it as explosive and credited Kelvyn for putting together a funk band to play dance music that isnt oversimplified.Kelvynator has released five records since 1985. They have also served as the rhythm section for Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis JB Horns and opened shows for Living Colour and James Brown. Kelvyn was instrumental in shaping the M-Base concept spearheaded by alto saxophonist Steve Coleman. As a member of Colemans original Five Elements (with Cassandra Wilson, Geri Allen, and Marvin Smitty Smith) he appeared on two recordings with a composition on each. Kelvyn is also known for his contributions to the Black Rock Coalition. He has served as musical director and featured soloist for numerous BRC Orchestra events including a tribute to Jimi Hendrix at Town Hall and a Sonny Sharrock tribute at Central Park's Summerstage which also starred Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Dave Fiuczynski (Screaming Headless Torsos), Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz), and Bernie Worrell (P-Funk).Extending his considerable experience into arts education, Kelvyn is the Director of the Music Department at the Harlem School of Arts. He shares over twenty years in the music business with aspiring artists between the ages of twelve and seventeen. Looking forward, he plans to continue in music education, to arrange/conduct strings, to produce records for other artists, and to write music for film while recording and touring himself. He is secretly working on an experimental, futuristic, jazz/funk record called "Double Gemini".
