Jason DeCristofaro & Kevin Spears @ One World West 2-22-2020
World Jazz- Kalimba,Vibes & more
Jason DeCristofaro is an active multi-instrumentalist, music educator and composer based in Asheville, NC. He is adjunct music faculty at Warren Wilson College (where he teaches applied percussion, applied piano and directs the Jazz ensemble) and A-B Tech (where he teaches music theory, music appreciation, Jazz history, and is the pianist for the choir). A published composer with C. Alan Publications and Tapspace Publications, Jason’s concert works have been performed in China, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sweden, and throughout the United States. Jason has presented at Harvard University for the International Journal of Arts and Sciences (IJAS), Virginia Tech for the Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy (CHEP), and Black Mountain College Museum (Centennial Celebration of John Cage). The winner of the 2011 Yamaha/Percussive Arts Society Terry Gibbs Competition, an international scholarship competition for jazz vibraphonists, Jason has performed as a guest artist at numerous jazz festivals and given clinics on Jazz improvisation and performance at several universities throughout the Southeast. Jason holds a Master of Music in Performance (UNC-School of the Arts), Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences (UNC-Asheville), and is currently working towards his Doctorate in Music Education (Boston University, ABD). He hosts Jazz Night at Southern Appalachian Brewery every Wednesday in Hendersonville, NC, the weekly Monday Jazz Night at One World Brewing West in Asheville, NC, and the monthly Jazz Vocal Series at Post 70 in Asheville, NC.
“Kevin Spears puts on a performance full of groove, sound and intimacy that draws you into his unique yet universal world”. -Benoit Glazer mus
Playing since the age of 10, Spears’ takes the kalimba, a traditional African instrument and masterfully weaves horns, bass, violins, synths, drums and world percussion to create an incredible folk/world/funk jazz orchestra that will leave you spellbound and dancing all the same. Experiencing Kevin live is like witnessing Jimi Hendrix, Herbie Hancock and Les Paul rolled into one, pure and simple.
In addition to being a gifted musical artist, inventor, instrument builder and mixed media artist, Spears performs internationally including a recent tour of Japan and has worked with and/or opened for artists such as: Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Col. Bruce Hampton, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Murat Tekbilek,
Toubab Krewe, Rising Appalachia, Karen Briggs, Roy “FutureMan” Wooten, Jill Scott, Eric Benet, Arrested Development, Richard Smith (guitarist for Earth, Wind and Fire), Divinity (bassist for Beyonce) and many more.
As a gifted lecturer and clinician, Kevin’s thought provoking lectures have been presented by professional and academic organizations around the country including: The NAMM Show, 50th Anniversary of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Musik Messe -Frankfurt Germany, SAM ASH Music Stores, Asheville Percussion Festival, Jazz Funk Africa Festival (Yokohama Japan), National Black Arts Festival, Georgia State University, DrumStrong Festival, Goombay Cultural Festival and more.
