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Scott Kinsey

Jazz multi-keyboardist Scott Kinsey from Owosso, Michigan began studying piano at anearly age and almost instantly became interested in the synthesizer. After graduating fromBoston's Berklee College of Music in 1991, Scott moved to Los Angeles and was soontouring the world with the critically acclaimed electric jazz group “Tribal Tech”.

In addition to his work with Tribal Tech (feat. Scott Henderson and Gary Willis), Scott hasperformed and recorded with many of todays music greats such as James Moody, KurtRosenwinkel, Philip Bailey, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Bill Evans, Robben Ford, Gary Willis, WDRBig Band, Serj Tankian (System of a Down), David Holmes & The Free Association, JoeZawinul, Danny Carey (TOOL), Norrbotten Big Band, Tim Hagans, Bob Belden, NicholasPayton & Sonic Trance, Matt Garrison and many others.

Kinsey has also lent his record production skills to Philip Bailey (“Soul On Jazz”), JoeZawinul (“Faces and Places”), Tim Hagans (Imagination Animation and ReAnimation - BothGrammy nominated!) Tribal Tech (Reality Check,Thick,Rocket Science), Scott Henderson(Dog Party, Tore Down House) Gary Willis (Bent) and James Moody (“Homage”).

Making the hip even hipper, you can also hear Scott’s keyboards backing up the biggestmovie stars of today in the soundtracks to the films “Ocean’s Eleven”, “Code 46”,“Stander”, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”, “Brown Sugar”, “Analyze That!” and 2005’shugely successful “Ocean’s Twelve”. Upcoming soundtracks include Bob Odenkirk's "Youare going to Prison" and Steven Soderbergh's "The Good German".

Scott, as a true jazz synthesist, has always utilized the newest technology and is alwaysstriving to reach the improvisational potential of the synthesizer.

Scott will release his solo CD, “Kinesthetics”, in the Spring of 2006. The CD features SteveTavaglione, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Cyril Atef, Michael Landau, Scott Henderson, VinnieColaiuta, Alex Acuña, Abraham Laboriel Sr. and many others.

The Critics on Kinsey: “Kinsey doesn’t just blow incredible solos or lay down perfectvoicings; with the sounds he dials in, every note is a three dimensional adventure.” - ErnieRideout, Keyboard Magazine, January ‘99.

“Tribal Tech's secret weapon remains keyboardist Kinsey, who not only adds harmonicmeat with his richly provocative choral voicings, hip comping and counterpoint melodiesbut also stands as one of the most creative and unpredictable synth soloists around. He isalways looking to push the envelope.” - Bill Milkowski ‘2000 “

..."Kinsey, perhaps in compensation for his inhuman chops quotient, has now establishedhimself as an innovator for incorporating the human element, in the form of sampledvocals--"pitched, unpitched, sung, spoken or screamed--"into his custom-programmedsonic voice.” --Phil DiPietro, All About Jazz

Scott Kinsey: Badia / Boogie Woogie Waltz

by Mike Jacobs
July 12, 2025

Though an edit of this track is included on electric keyboardist extraordinaire Scott Kinsey's Luniwaz Live (Whirlwind Recordings, 2024), this full, unedited version drives home in no uncertain terms just how qualified Kinsey and company are to take on--and further--the Zawinul legacy. Featuring incendiary performances by Kinsey, bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gergo Borlai and saxophonist Patrick Bartley Jr. ...

Album Review

Scott Kinsey: Luniwaz Live

Read "Luniwaz Live" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
August 12, 2024

Fans of Weather Report or the Zawinul Syndicate or for that matter most any of Joe Zawinul's work, will llikely appreciate this album led by keyboardist Scott Kinsey. The Austrian keyboardist Zawinul, along with legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter, were the founders of Weather Report. Kinsey became a prodigy of Zawinul and has done more than just keep the music alive. First came (We Speak Luniwaz:The Music of Joe Zawinul, Whirlwind Recordings, 2019). That studio album affirmed not only Kinsey's affinity ...

Radio & Podcasts

New music from Scott Kinsey, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Aurora Clara and Juan Dhas

by Len Davis
August 4, 2024

New music from Scott Kinsey, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Mark Lettieri and Jubu Smith. MMCircle with Enrico Pinna, Igor Willcox Quartet, Aurora Clara plus some Jazz from Kavyesh Kaviraj and Juan Dhas.Playlist Scott Kinsey “Domino Theory" from Luniwaz-Live (Whirlwind) 00:00 Al Di Meola “Paradox Of Puppets" from Twentyfour (Ear Music) 06:12 Mike Stern “Stuff Happens" from Echoes And Other Songs (Mack Avenue) 12:33 Mark Lettieri “Saturday Stuff" from Can You Tell Me Something (GroundUp) 18:46 Jubu Smith ...

Liner Notes

Scott Kinsey: Luniwaz LIVE

by Mike Jacobs
August 2, 2024

Scott Kinsey's connection to the music of Joe Zawinul and Weather Report is undeniable--and hardly new to even casual partakers of the keyboardist's work. As Kinsey explains, the pull was there from the beginning: “Joe was an innovative improviser, composer, and conceptualist but for me, especially so as the first jazz synthesist I had ever encountered. His electric keyboard work was showing us the future, note by note." But even if Kinsey garnered Zawinul comparisons, listeners weren't listening ...

Play This!

Scott Kinsey / Mer Sal: Time Out Of Mind

by Mike Jacobs
March 2, 2024

This take on the Steely Dan classic may seem pretty straightforward at first but get about a minute and a half in and things get taken to new heights. Both Mer Sal's vocal work and Scott Kinsey's instrumental / recompositional / production prowess display talents of the first order. ...

Album Review

Jeff Richman: XYZ

by Jim Worsley
April 17, 2023

XYZ could perhaps reference any number of things. Sparing us that rabbit hole, in this case it references boundaries pushed to their fullest extent with some exceptional new music from fusion guitarist Jeff Richman. Richman's previous release, Sizzle (Nefer Records 2017) was/is a record that lives up to its name. There is something to be said about not putting out a record every eighteen months, twenty-four months, or any other calendar-driven period. It would seem that Richman threw away the ...

Album Review

Marilyn Scott: The Landscape

Read "The Landscape" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
June 16, 2022

Some artists feel obligated to put out a new record every one-point-three years, or whatever their factory warranty calls for (mileage may vary). Others are more interested in quality than quantity. On her first record since Standard Blue (Prana, 2017), jazz vocalist Marilyn Scott has something to say about The Landscape. More than the title track, Scott's concerns with our landscape is the scope and focus of seven original compositions, all co-written with pianists Russ Ferrante or Scott Kinsey. Scott ...

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Performance / Tour

Guitarist Jimmy Herring to Embark on First Solo Tour with Greg Osby, Oteil Burbridge, Scott Kinsey and Jeff Sipe

Source: Abstract Logix
April 2, 2009

For the first time ever, legendary guitarist Jimmy Herring is hitting the road under his own name, with a hand-picked ensemble of all-star musicians in support. Pioneering a daring hybrid which crosses rock energy with the sophistication and improvisational fire of jazz, Herring’s dynamic, exploratory guitar playing has been a key component of such renowned groups as the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Jazz is Dead, Project Z, and, most recently, Widespread Panic – with whom Herring plays lead guitar to this ...
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Interview

Keyboard Wizard Scott Kinsey Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 27, 2007

It has taken fifteen years, but keyboardist Scott Kinsey's eagerly awaited debut recording as leader, Kinesthetics (Abstract Logix, 2006) is out and receiving rave reviews.

Kinsey made his name in Tribal Tech, one of the most important bands in the electro/jazz-fusion scene of the last twenty-five years. Joining Tribal Tech straight out of Berklee, Kinsey remained until the dissolution of the band, a decade and a handful of critically acclaimed albums later.

AAJ contributor Ian Patterson spoke with Kinsey recently ...
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113

Recording

Scott Kinsey's Kinesthetics makes it to #3 in Critcs Picks

Source: All About Jazz
November 29, 2006

Acclaimed Jazz Critic Phil DiPietro has selected Keyboardist Scott Kinsey's Debut release Kinesthetics (Label: Abstract Logix) as his number 3 pick of the year. More details at Jazz House

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Recording

Three Free MP3s from Abstract Logix: Scott Kinsey, Alex Machacek & Terry Bozzio, and Project Z

Source: All About Jazz
October 25, 2006

118

Recording

Tribal Tech's Multi-Keyboardist Scott Kinsey's Kinesthetics Hits Record Stores

Source: All About Jazz
October 17, 2006

Tribal Tech's keyboardist Scott Kinsey finally steps out as a leader in his own right on Kinesthetics, his long-overdue solo debut. Joining him on this outstanding effort are Tribal Tech drummer Kirk Covington, saxophonist and EWI specialist Steve Tavaglione, bassist and former Berklee College of Music classmate Paul Shihadeh, bassist Jimmy Earl, percussionists Brad Dutz and Cyril Atef. Special guests on this audacious, wildly creative outing include Scott's other Tribal Tech mates -- bassist Gary Willis and guitarist Scott Henderson ...
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116

Recording

Tribal Tech Keyboardist Scott Kinsey releases all-star debut album

Source: All About Jazz
September 7, 2006

Abstract Logix is excited to sign keyboardist Scott Kinsey to its record label. An important musical force in contemporary times, Scott has been a vital force with Tribal Tech, Scott Henderson, Joe Zawinul, Bob Belden, Nicholas Payton, and have also appeared on soundtracks to such films as Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, Code 46, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Brown Sugar, Smokin' Aces and Analyze That!

Kinesthetics has been one of the most requested releases this year and showcases the tremendous ...
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Performance / Tour