Home » Jazz Musicians » Tom Kennedy

Tom Kennedy

Tom Kennedy is an accomplished touring and studio musician who ranks as one of the top acoustic and electric bass players in the world. His credits include performances and recordings with both mainstream legends and leading contemporary players.

Tom’s musical roots with on the acoustic bass, an instrument he started playing at age 9 and took to so naturally that within a few years he was performing with internationally known players such as Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Nat Adderly, Sonny Stitt and Stan Kenton.

At age 17, Tom would create a musical alter ego when he began playing the electric bass. Intrigued by the endless possibilities of the instrument, he began developing his now signature style best described as deep, soulful grooves merging seamlessly into acrobatic, horn-like soloing.

Gaining a reputation that soon traveled beyond his native St. Louis, Tom relocated to New York City, where he quickly gained work with multiple groups. Further accolades came through a recording with guitar great Bill Connors and tours with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker in the world-renowned jazz-fusion group Steps Ahead. Additional tours and recordings with Brazilian pianist Tania Maria and guitarist Al DiMeola followed.

In 1998, Tom became an integral part of Modern Drummer hall of famer Dave Weckl’s band, a group he toured, composed and recorded with for over nine years. Tom and Dave have continued to perform and record together on various projects for other artists, including Mike Stern, Didier Lockwood, Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour.

Tom has also performed and recorded with top contemporary players Simon Phillips, Steve Gadd, Frank Gambale, Steve Lukather, David Sanborn, Jeff Lorber, Ricky Lawson, Joe Sample and fusion band Planet X.

Tom has released five solo CDs: Basses Loaded in 1996, Bassics in 2004 featuring Mundell Lowe and Joe LaBarbera, Just for the Record in 2011, featuring Dave Weckl and Mike Stern, and Just Play! in 2013 featuring Lee Ritenour, Renee Rosnes and George Garzone. His most recent solo project, Points of View, released in 2017.

LA Weekly writes that Tom’s playing is “nothing short of inspiring.” His reputation as a master of his craft is evident among fans worldwide.

Tags

4
Album Review

Tom Kennedy: New Start

Read "New Start" reviewed by Jim Worsley


When thinking of bassist Tom Kennedy, it can be instinctive to think of drummer Dave Weckl. Or vice versa. The two became friends and musical colleagues in their early teens. That is roughly a half century of playing, recording, touring, and much more together. Kennedy is known around the world as a premier, elite jazz and fusion electric bassist. Weckl has the same notoriety and brilliant skill set behind his drum kit. One could go on at length about their ...

4
SoCal Jazz

The Weckl/Kennedy Project: Live at The Catalina Jazz Club

Read "The Weckl/Kennedy Project: Live at The Catalina Jazz Club" reviewed by Jim Worsley


If you are a fan of fusion, you likely know that Tom Kennedy and Dave Weckl started playing together in their early teens. Recently, Weckl reminisced about that glorious time in their lives, while on stage at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. Yes, it was the Weckl/Kennedy Project playing the finale of a three-night engagement. The quartet also includes tenor and soprano saxophonist Bob Franceschini and keyboardist Stu Mindeman. Weckl's fond memories were of a young trio learning, pushing ...

16
Album Review

Lukasz Pawlik: Long Distance Connections

Read "Long Distance Connections" reviewed by Jim Worsley


This is fusion of the highest order, the type of project that is easy to get excited about. The complexities of Polish composer, pianist, cellist and arranger Lukasz Pawlik's compositions soar to new heights on his second album as a leader. Enlisting gold-star talent from both home and abroad, this amounts to about a fifty-fifty configuration of prominent musicians from the United States and Poland. Fusion legends trumpeter Randy Brecker and electric guitarist Mike Stern unite with Polish heavyweights tenor ...

17
Album Review

The Dave Weckl Band: Live in St. Louis at the Chesterfield Jazz Festival

Read "Live in St. Louis at the Chesterfield Jazz Festival" reviewed by Jim Worsley


At a time where millions around the world are thankfully being vaccinated, the cure for live music blues has yet to be addressed. While nothing can replace the sound, the energy, and feel of live music, a medicinal record will be on the market in April 2021. While this reunion concert recorded in 2019 would no doubt be impactful sans the pandemic, the timing and dosage is fortuitous. Getting the gang back together, a la the Blues Brothers, Dave Weckl ...

7
SoCal Jazz

Tom Kennedy: Stories From Behind and Beyond The Bass

Read "Tom Kennedy: Stories From Behind and Beyond The Bass" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Tom Kennedy has never considered himself a prospector, but surely has tapped into a goldmine. As if releasing a hotshot new record wasn't enough, the world class jazz and fusion bassist is in compositional bliss with a bevy of new material yet to be recorded. Kennedy and I talk at length about his new writing technique and its impact on his music. Kennedy also shares memories of his much beloved and talented older brother, Ray. The versatile jazz ...

3
Album Review

Clivia Tanisi: Love's Way Back

Read "Love's Way Back" reviewed by Jim Worsley


It wasn't so much about “Learning How to Fly," as the opening track has it, as it was apparent that Clivia Tanisi still knew how to navigate in space. Tanisi took a twenty-year sabbatical to be a mom and raise her children. Singing proved to be like riding a bike, as she grooved into her lane, and fell in time with the other bikers. These were no weekend joy riders that Tanisi was pedaling with either. With drummer Dave Weckl, ...

25
Album Review

Tom Kennedy: Stories

Read "Stories" reviewed by Jim Worsley


It's commonplace that an artist will have a concept or theme in mind when starting a record project. To build from the ground up without any preconceptions could be a recipe for a disaster. However, if it didn't crash and burn and, in fact, went the other direction, the possibilities then become infinite. With no boundaries and nothing to be tethered to, the sky's the limit. Tom Kennedy boldly took that approach to his new record. He took flight with ...

Read more articles
“Tom Kennedy’s groove and flawless technique are evident in every performance ... a true virtuoso.” - Downbeat Magazine

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

New Start

Autumn Hill
2024

buy

Stories

Autumn Hill Records
2021

buy

Live in St. Louis at...

Autumn Hill Records
2021

buy

Long Distance...

Summit Records
2021

buy

Love's Way Back

Autumn Hill Records
2020

buy

Points of View

Self Produced
2017

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.