NPR's AfroPop WorldWide states: "Kevin Spears utilizes the traditional African instrument and tweaks it to create a soulful, funky sound that would make Stevie Wonder smile." Hailed as one of the best kalimba players alive, Kevin Spears "KalimbaMan" breathtaking ability on this traditional instrument is often compared to music legends such as Herbie Hancock, Thomas Dolby, Bobby McFerrin, Les Paul and even Jimi Hendrix. In addition to kalimba, Spears has created and mastered various musical instruments to accompany himself while playing kalimba that leaves his audiences spellbound as a true one-man ensemble. Playing since he was 10 yrs old, KalimbaMan is a world-class musical artist who has performed before national and international audiences from folk to bluegrass, jazz, funk and world music audiences leaving them enthusiastic and spellbound with his unique way of creating music and sincere way of sharing his life experiences. An ancient yet futuristic troubadour simultaneously. His musical depth and live performance on one hand is steeped in the traditions of the blues, gospel and soul music which he grew up on living in the American South. Yet he has an uncanny ability to masterfully express himself through World music including Flamenco, Afro-Cuban, Afrobeat, Middle-Eastern as well as Dance and New Age music. Through his eclectic fusion of folk, world and soul music, KalimbaMan has been a featured artist and lecturer at prestigious events including TED-X, The NAMM Show, Asheville Percussion Festival, PASIC (Percussion Arts Society International Conference), MUSIKMESSE / Frankfurt Germany, National Black Arts Festival, DrumStrong Festival. Spears has also performed with and/or opened for distinguished artists including Omar Faruk, Rising Appalachia, Toubab Krewe, Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Karen Briggs-(violinist for Yanni), Sheldon Reynolds -(guitarist for Earth, Wind and Fire), Divinity (bassist for Beyoncé) and Five-time Grammy Award winner Roy "Futureman" Wooten -(drummer/Bela Fleck and The Flecktones) and many others. As a gifted lecturer, Spears' has been invited on numerous occasions to speak to music professionals and students to speak on the subject "Harnessing The Speed of Thought" which delves into the speed of the human mind and harnessing it for the purpose of exponentially increasing musical abilities. Featured on ABC Affiliate WLOS Asheville https://wlos.com/community/carolina-moment/wnc-musician-merges-tradition... Mountain Express News Magazine https://mountainx.com/blogwire/master-kalimba-player-kevin-spears-and-ro... Website: www.KevinSpears.com