Michael Kennedy & Friends

Over Michael Kennedy’s 25+ year career as a musician, he has traveled to Japan, New Zealand, South America, Canada, Hawaii and all throughout the continental United States. Michael’s reputation as one of the finest bassists, musical directors and performers in Southern California precedes him and has afforded him the opportunity to work with numerous R & B acts including Bobby Caldwell, Parliament, Funkadelic, The Gap Band, Common Sense and more.

Pianist and saxophonist Kamau Kenyatta is known as a composer, performer, producer, educator, mentor and much more. Originally from Detroit, his versatility comes from his early exposure to a vast array of musical styles. This talented performer-composer-arranger-producer has worked with jazz greats such as Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, and Patti Austin. World tours have taken Kamau to over 20 countries and include stints with Donald Byrd, Jesus Christ Superstars’ Carl Anderson, The Supremes, New Kids On The Block and 90s hip-hop groups Silk and SWV. Kenyatta's protégé Gregory Porter won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2014 GRAMMY Awards for Liquid Spirits, an album Kenyatta produced.

Richard Sellers has been playing drums professionally for over twenty years. In that time, he has performed with countless groups and ensembles in a variety of styles, including straight-ahead jazz, avant-garde jazz, Brazilian, Latin, funk and hip-hop. In addition, he has worked extensively as a teacher, applying his unique rhythmic approach and meticulous technical methods. A native of Valencia, California, Richard received early training from Stewart Fischer (brother of jazz giant Clare), Earl Palmer, and Joe Porcaro.  Richard is regarded as one of the premier drummers in Southern California, and he found himself sharing the stage with World Class artists such as Hubert Laws, Terell Stafford, Kenny Rankin, Kamau Kenyatta, Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson, Marshall Hawkins, Clare Fischer, Gary Foster, Andy Simpkins, and Jackie and Roy.