Amazing bassist/composer on his latest projects with Dave Weckl and tips for learning bass
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
Date January 3, 2022
Tom Kennedy is certainly no stranger to the jazz world, where he’s earned a reputation for heartfelt bass grooves and out-of-this-world solos.
The son of a popular St. Louis trumpet player and bandleader, Tom entered the scene young, playing double bass alongside luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Nat Adderley, and Sonny Stitt while still just a teenager. During the late ’70s, he developed an interest in the electric bass and was soon splitting his efforts between mainstream jazz and jazz/rock fusion pursuits.
After relocating to NYC in 1984, Kennedy made a name for himself playing in a variety of ensembles, including the acclaimed fusion group Steps Ahead, where he shared the lineup with guitarist Bill Connors and tenor sax man Michael Brecker. In the late ’90s, he joined drummer Dave Weckl’s band, and would go on to tour and record with them for nearly a decade.
Over the years, Kennedy has also played with the likes of Tania Maria, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour, Frank Gambale, Steve Lukather and the fusion band Planet X, just to name a few. He’s also released several albums as a leader, the most recent being 2020’a Stories, and has teamed up with Weckl to form the Dave Weckl/Tom Kennedy Project.
Watch our interview with Tom!
See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview here.
Tom’s latest solo release, Stories, is available here:
Another great interview man John I love these it’s so awesome to hear these guys give a wider perspective to the whole music experience , where they came from what they’re doing how they’re thinking it’s just awesome man!!!! It’s really an amazing education in it’s on right!