| Kenny
Selcer
Not your typical musician!
a sizzling blend of folk, rock, blues, roots, reggae,
and everything in between.
Ask Kenny Selcer why it is that he plays music, and he's likely
to respond as though he was on stage. Without missing a beat, he become's electric. He
speaks of defying categories, breaking down barriers and fusing idioms and cultures. Of
his live performances (whether solo or with his band) he says, "It's as though someone
keeps changing the channel."
Indeed, Kenny weaves a masterful, fluid thread through genre after genre in his
riveting live performances in his solo performances(and with his bands). He traverses the
musical map with infectious melodies and unstoppable rhythms. He sooths the spirit, rocks
the house and melts into a seductive, bluesy groove. It’s a unique uplifting sound that
comes through both live and on disc! It’s an uplifting and transcendent romp through style
after style.
Ken is at equally at home on solo acoustic guitar as he is with
a band. He has performed everywhere as a solo singer/songwriter honing his songs and solo
performing on the vital New England acoustic scene. He has also led bands(Shazam, String
Bean and The Knuckles) from duos to 6 pieces led by his mesmerizing guitar & intimate
vocals. Whatever the musical situation he paints sparkling vignettes and visions exploring
life’s complexities and wonders. He is about to record a new cd. Selcer is a Berklee College
of Music alumnae who owns and runs Selcer Sound and Graphics, a full service music sound
and graphics company, has done professional sound at area clubs and art centers, taught
music, set-up venues and promoted them, and has been a DJ.
Ken performs solo and with band performing songs from his CD, Breaking the Glass and his
upcoming CD. After years of performing solo and with band (and with Somebody’s Sister -
Ken’s old band with Jll Stein - and their CDs, Flashpoint, Somebody’s Sister, Green Sky, & Circuits
to the Sun) he has secured a loyal fan base and a solid spot on the New England folk rock
circuit. Past venues have included Harper’s Ferry, The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival(1993
co-winner of the Artist’s Showcase), 31 Main, The Colonial Inn, The Burren, Ryles, Club
Passim, Johnny D’s, Yankee Homecoming Festival, Foxboro Stadium-Earth Day, The House of
Blues, The Middle East, All Asia, The Midway, Sally O’Brien’s, Lynn Woods Bluegrass Festival,
Worcester First Night, HMV stage, The Plough and Stars, The Asgard, The Hard Rock Cafe
- - not to mention just about every coffeehouse and venue in the Boston area! And he’s
shared the stage with some impressive characters including, Entrain, Greg Brown, Catie
Curtis, Greg Greenway, Laurie Sargent, David Mallett, Sam Hooper, Merrie Amsterburg, Joel
Cage & Laurie Geltman among others. Somebody’s Sister, were a semi-finalist in national
publication MUSICIAN MAGAZINE’s best unsigned bands of 1996 & 1998.
“Through
candid storytelling and inspired guitar play, Kenny Selcer delivers a stimulating mind-body
listening experience with Breaking the Glass. Engaging tales of relationship pain, frustration,
hope and desire will provoke listeners to revisit thoughts of their own relationships.
Listeners will not, however, find themselves stewing in self-reflection for very long as
Selcer's lively guitar licks send them truckin' on down the road to relationship renewal.” -
Dennis Carlan, Lyric Tree Publishing
"Also in the artist putting out his own material category
is Boston-based Kenny SELCER, with “Breaking the Glass” (Kennyselcer.com). Put together
with love and I'm sure bucks from his own pocket, guitarist/writer/singer Kenny (with friends
doing backup vocals and instruments). Each original song has a distinct style, from straight
singer-songwriter to pop to rock to even funk (with a touch of rap in Blondie/”Rapture”
mode). My only real grumble is that the songs are a bit long, averaging 5 minutes each,
but the musicianship holds up with his nimble guitar playing. Using the studio wisely,
Kenny walks the walk successfully of using various effects without overdoing or overproducing,
which shows he knows how to listen to the engineer and/or producer without his ego getting
in the way. Even when Kenny's voice is a bit vanilla at times, it's is a matter of the
listener's taste more than the singer's talent, but there is no question it's worth a try." on-line
review by Robert
Barry Francos
Kenny is
and has been very active in the political and activism realms. Not only is he the Treasurer
for political committees and non-profits(Massachusetts
Coalition for Healthy Community - based in Lexington, MA) but has found ways to bring
his music into these worlds. Going back years he has partnered with Jill Stein in presenting
music that supports causes and political change performing everywhere from Foxboro Stadium
and The Esplande on Earth days with The Kids Earth Chorus to the Kennynedy Library and
many schools. They have 3 kids albums with The Kids Earth Chorus and won a couple of Multi-Cultural
awards from the Board of Education. This socially conscious strain runs through much of
Kenny's music especially with Jill Stein (Jill ran for Governor
of Mass. in 2010 and Kenny is the Treasurer, web and graphics person). Listen to samples
of this music here. Kenny helped produce
this music, played guitar and his vision of the world includes this perspective. And,
over the years some of this political consciousness has seeped into songwriting ( Trouble
in Paradise is one of those songs). Kenny has played Benefit after Benefit bringing
his talents to help bring about and help support social change. See quote below.
Jill Stein with Jeff Lowe, Kenny Selcer, Mike Migliozz(hidden)
and Rich Caloggero - Brookline Climate Action Day, Brookline, MA June 2007
"Somebody's Sister - Their songs are great, their voices
magnificent and their music is philosophically uplifting, thoroughly enjoyable and fantastically
crafted. I keep playing their 4 CD's, Flashpoint, Somebody's Sister, Green Sky and Circuits
to the Sun and with each time a new layer of beauty manifests itself. Definitely in the
'must have, must listen' category!!!" - Stavros Moschopoulos
- United Nations FAO CASA
"Clear songwriting and a loose, spirited feel have
made this album the victim of my 'replay' button. Somebody's Sister is something else!" -
Vance Gilbert, recording artist
"The music of Somebody's Sister will send shivers down
your spine and fill your soul with joy. Jill's voice can only be described as intoxicating,
and Kenny's lead guitar playing adds to each song sheer beauty....It doesn't get any better
than this folks." - Driftwood Coffeehouse, Hyannis, MA. "Their
rich harmonies.....and smart, politically aware songwriting make them one of the area's
most likely to succeed acts." - The Worcester Phoenix
"Absolutely one of the best CDs we've heard in a long time." -
Worcester Magazine
"....They really know how to wake people up and get them
dancing!" - WERS-FM, Boston.
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