Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2016 Program

Nathan
It has been said that music
feeds the soul, but KEM’s
journey is equally, if not more
inspirational. R&B Singer/
Songwriter/Producer KEM’s love
of music began as a child. Music
saw him through the darkest
moments in his life, took him to
the top of the industry’s record
charts, and earned him a record
deal with Universal Motown
Records. A self-taught musician,
KEM was born in Nashville and
raised in Detroit, the birthplace
of Motown Records. In March
of 2002, KEM independently
released his first CD, Kemistry
(Album I) and sold more than
10,000 CD’s before piquing the
interest of Universal Motown.
His first album grabbed the
attention of a multi-generational/
multi-ethnic/cross-gender
audience—to the tune of over
500,000 CD’s sold. The first
single on Kemistry, “Love Calls,”
garnered over 50,000 spins on
Urban Adult Radio stations (UAC)
which positioned it as the 2nd
most played record in 2003 and
the most played record of 2004.
KEM’s popularity continued as
he debuted at #5 on the Pop
Albums charts. His consecutive
four week #1 at Urban AC streak
at urban radio made him one of
the highest charted artists of the
year. The hit single, “I Can’t Stop
Loving You” was designated as
Radio & Records’ and Billboard’s
#1 Adult R&B Record of 2005.
He was also named Radio &
Records’ #2 R&B Artist for 2005.
Motown re-released the CD as
a dual disc with a DVD featuring
KEM’s video and second hit
single, “Find Your Way (Back in
My Life).” He also received two
NAACP Image Award nominations
for Outstanding Male Artist and
Outstanding Song, “I Can’t Stop
Loving You.” His third studio
album, Intimacy, was released
on August 17, 2010 to critical
acclaim. Intimacy debuted on
Billboard’s Top 200 list at #2
in the country, only behind
Eminem’s Recovery album. The
first single from Intimacy, “Why
Would You Stay” climbed to the
#1 position on Urban AC Radio
Charts, where it stayed for two
straight weeks.
Photo by Kharen Hill
Nathan East is a GRAMMY
nominated Jazz, R&B and
Rock bassist. Credited with over
2,000 recordings, he is considered
one of the most recorded bass
players in the history of music.
East is best known for his
performances with Eric Clapton,
George Harrison, Quincy Jones &
Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Anita
Baker, Whitney Houston, Barbara
Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Herbie
Hancock, Al Jarreau, Beyoncé,
Toto and Daft Punk’s multi
GRAMMY Award-winning Random
Access Memories with Nathan’s
bass line driving the worldwide
hit song “Get Lucky.” East also
composed the music for the #1 hit
song “Easy Lover” for Phil Collins
and Philip Bailey. He is a founding
member of contemporary jazz
super group Fourplay with Bob
James, Lee Ritenour/Larry Carlton/
Chuck Loeb & Harvey Mason. In
2014, he released his first ever
EAST
debut album, Nathan East, on the
Yamaha Entertainment Group label
which went to #1 on the Billboard
Jazz Charts and won a GRAMMY
nomination for Best Contemporary
Instrumental Album. His album
features guest appearances by
Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles,
Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton,
Kazumasa Oda, Bob James,
Chuck Loeb, Ray Parker, Jr., David
Paich, and his 13-year-old son
Noah East.
48 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival 49