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Kemp Harris

Kemp is a singer, songwriter and actor, originally from Edenton, North Carolina. He's shared the stage with Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal, Gil Scott-Heron and collaborated with the Holmes Brothers on his last record, Edenton.

Kemp has written and performed original compositions in the US and Europe for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and a residency at Boston's Wang Theater.

Kemp's original songwriting and performances are a tapestry of American roots, blues, jazz and folk music.

Kemp is an educator. He has taught in the Newton (Ma.) Public Schools system for 40 years and is a much in demand speaker/educator, including a songwriting residency at The Wang Center for the Performing Arts. Recently he was invited to give a series of talks and master classes with Chad Stokes the founder of the band Dispatch at the Berklee College of Music on the subject of "Artists as Activists." Along with his musical talents comes a skill for spoken word appearances and creative writing. Kemp is an artist and an activist, a man that brings his best self to all aspects of his artistic interests.

Kemp's been around a long time. His songs reflect a mature artist willing to fuse diverse elements in the search for a more modern and timely blues, with lyrics that are socially aware and intensely soulful.