Biography
Kemp Harris is a composer, musician, author and actor
and teacher. Born in North Carolina, Kemp taught himself
piano and was writing songs at age 14.
As a musician and composer, Kemp has shared the
stage with Taj Mahal, Gil Scott-Heron, and Koko Taylor.
He has written and performed original compositions in
the United States and Europe for the Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater and WGBH public television. Kemp currently
maintains a songwriting residency at the Wang Center for
the Performing Arts in Boston in conjunction with Berklee
College of Music, assisting talented young artists with
composition and performance.
Kemp's previous release,
"Sometimes in Bad Weather",
draws upon his diverse background
and creative influences. The album
is a thoughtful tapestry exploring
the intersection of American roots
music, jazz, and African folk
influences; it features the acclaimed
"If Loneliness was Black", a piece Kemp
composed and performed with the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
As an actor, Kemp has performed in
television, film, and on stage. His more
recent work includes Mirimax's "Next Stop
Wonderland" and Steven Spielberg's "Amistad".
When Kemp isn't busy writing songs or performing, he's
working with kids as a teacher of over 20 years and
published children's author.
Kemp's upcoming album, entitled Edenton,
looks back to Kemp's North Carolina roots
and features the backing vocals of the Holmes Brothers.
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