KEM prepares new work

BY PAMELA GLASON THORNTON
CITY EDITOR
Columbus Post

"Kemistry," the debut album of musician KEM contained the single "Love Calls," which allowed the self-taught keyboard artist to gain fans that identify with his music.
He describes what he creates as a mixture of R&B and jazz. "Yes, it is funky," said Kem who spoke to the Columbus Post last week. He is currently in Detroit working on his new record, "KEM Album 3: Intimacy."
KEM's success is more than a story of survival. It is a testimony.
Last year Columbus experienced KEM at The Ohio State Fair - an atmosphere where all backgrounds and ages are within an attentive audience. Gospel aficionados as well as mainstream listeners of all backgrounds enjoy Kem's music. "There's a little bit of something for everybody. I think that is a good thing," said KEM.
"I Can't Stop Loving You," a single from his debut album, was named the #1 Adult R&B Record of 2005 and caused him to become one of 2005's highest charted urban radio artists.
"I fell in love with the piano at a very early age, before I was five years old. I started playing it at my grandfather's house in Nashville, TN," said KEM who was born in Nashville and raised in Detroit.
Looking back, KEM, who pursued the expansion of his music while working odd jobs and fighting societal issues, recalls the benefits of being around others who create good music.
In his home as a child, he and his family members listened to a variety of music: Stevie Wonder, Weather Report as well as legendary Nancy Wilson. KEM, who did a remake of historic vocalist Nat King Cole's "Fascination" for the film, "Take the Lead" starring Antonio Banderas, recalled that he was recently honored to be on the same show with Nancy Wilson, a native of Columbus. "Wilson was very classy and musically intelligent," said KEM who performs a one-night show at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., in Columbus, on September 25.
"Our band from Detroit, which is working on the new record, Kem Album 3: Intimacy, will preview some of the songs for the audience," said KEM.
To learn more about the artist, go to www.kemmusic.com.