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Sean J. Kennedy

Dave Brubeck stated that Sean’s drumming, “… sounds like it should-- it swings!”

About Me

Sean J. Kennedy is a multi-faceted musician, equally accomplished on the stage, in the recording studio, and in the classroom. He has released four critically acclaimed albums: Road to Wailea, Outta' Here, Hey! Where's My Tux?! and Queen Anne’s Revenge (featuring Bob Mintzer and Liberty DeVitto). Jazz legend Dave Brubeck stated that Sean’s drumming, “… sounds like it should—it swings!”

Working as a freelance drumset and percussion artist, Sean has made several appearances on NBC television and ABC’s Good Morning America live from Times Square in New York City. He has performed on drumset and percussion with The Philly POPS! Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Jacksonville Symphony, The Strauss Symphony of America, The Allentown Band and is the principal drumset player with the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale.

A sought-after composer, Sean has been commissioned on several occasions to create regional and state-level audition pieces, and has taught elementary through university-level music students throughout the United States. An original orchestral composition by Kennedy entitled, Kaku, Kupala. Fear in Neutral Buoyancy, had its world premiered in 2015, at the world famous Carnegie Hall. This exciting new work was commissioned and performed by the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at the Concert for Global Peace, conducted by maestro Jose Luis Gomez. At home in the Philadelphia area, Kennedy is a secondary level instrumental music teacher, as well as a college-level music instructor and has taught, consulted and judged scholastic marching percussion and jazz bands throughout the region. Further, Kennedy has written two drumset method books with rock drumming legend Liberty DeVitto, titled Camp Jam: Rock Solid: Drums and I Used to Play Drums: An Innovative Method for Adults Returning to Play. Additionally, he has written a jazz improvisation series with famed saxophonist, Richie Cannata, titled Improvising and Soloing—In the Pocket. His latest release from Alfred Music, Sixty Second Solos, is an exciting introduction to solo percussion performance, already receiving glowing endorsements from the likes Dame Evelyn Glennie and won 2nd runner-up in the DRUM! Magazine 2015 Readers Poll: The Drummies.

Kennedy has a B.S. in Music Education and an M.M. in Percussion Performance from West Chester University, and is an Artist Endorser for Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Casio Keyboards, The Drum Wallet and Evans Drumheads. He is also a member of the American Federation of Musicians, is a registered composer, songwriter, and publisher with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (NARAS).

www.seanjkennedy.com