Tom Kennedy - Points of View (2017)

With decades of playing with some of the world’s top musicians under his belt, Tom Kennedy has seen a lot. Starting with jazz greats when he was just a teenager, the master bassist has seen the world from the stage and the studio. That’s only part of why his new album, Points of View, is so aptly titled.

The release, which is his fifth solo album, features a good handful of Kennedy’s fellow top-tier jazz musicians, including Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Bob Franceshini, Chuck Loeb, Lee Ritenour, Dave Weckl, and more. He simultaneously supports and leads the mix of players on his upright and electric basses, navigating a mix of jazz, blues, latin, and funk.

We were lucky to catch up with Kennedy to get the scoop on his new album, his mysterious fretless bass, balancing the electric and upright basses, and why it’s so hard to solo on your own songs.

Bass, Keyboards – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 1,2), Obed Calvaire (tracks: 5,6), Richie Morales (tracks: 8), Wesley Ritenour (tracks: 3,4,7)
Guitar – Chuck Loeb (tracks: 3), Lee Ritenour (tracks: 4), Mike Stern (tracks: 8)
Piano – Charles Blenzig (tracks: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Bill Evans (tracks: 1,2), Bob Franceschini (tracks: 3,4,5,6)
Trumpet – Nick Marcione (tracks: 5), Randy Brecker (tracks: 7)
Vocals – Karla Harris (tracks: 3)