Kevin Jenkins

Official Biography (courtesy of Kevin Jenkins)

EARLY LIFE -Kevin Jenkins was born July 19, 1956 in Philadelphia, PA to parents Sandra Bean and Leroy Jenkins.  He was raised in Boston, MA. Jenkins started playing bass in 1970 in 9th grade while attending Concord Carlyle Regional High School in Concord, MA.  He began playing professionally in 1972.

CAREER-Jenkins' first major gig with a nationally known recording artist was with Zulema Cusseaux on RCA in 1976.  The following year saw Jenkins touring and recording with another RCA Artist, Disco Diva Vickie Sue Robinson.  That association led to a lifelong friendship with world-renowned Jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows with whom Jenkins has toured and recorded extensively through the years. While Jenkins' tenure with Vickie Sue Robinson ended in 1979 his musical journey was just beginning as a sideman in New York City.  Numerous shows and recordings with local acts kept him busy day and night.  In 1982 the call came that would take Jenkins from the national scene to the international stage: Graham Parker needed a new band for his first international tour as a solo artist, and Jenkins got the nod as bassist.  Jenkins recorded two albums and did three tours with Parker from 1982 until 1985.In 1986 Jenkins went on to perform with the incomparable Cyndi Lauper for 9 years, joining her for several World tours and recording with her on her 'Hat Full of Stars Album'.The 80s and 90s were a whirlwind of tours and recording with acts big and small, including Enrique Iglesias, Maxwell, Taylor Dayne, Roberta Flack, Debbie Gibson, Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies), Holly Palmer, Black 47, Joy Askew, October Project, Tom Rush, Cliff Eberhard, Alana Davis, Lamya and many more.In 2005 Jenkins began working with the pre-eminent young Blues singer of this century, the amazing Shemekia Copeland! After over 30 years of solid support for artists in every conceivable genre, Jenkins has finally stepped into the spotlight.  He will be releasing his debut solo album later in 2012.

PERSONAL LIFEJenkins lives blissfully with his girlfriend and partner Linda Cronin-Gross in Sunset Park Brooklyn, NY.

PARTIAL  DISCOGRAPHY --Greatest Hits (Steel Box Collection)  She's So Unusual/True Colours/ A Night to Remember/Hat Full of Stars/ Sisters Avalon /Discover Cyndi Lauper/Bittersweet Sixteen - Black 47-The Collection - Cyndi Lauper-Live At Symphony Hall, Boston - Tom Rush-Ultimate Collection - Graham Parker  /BBC Live in Concert, 1977-1991 - Graham ParkerGreatest Hits - Taylor Dayne  /Mona Lisa Café - Cliff Eberhardt /Home of the Brave - Black 47 /Hard to Hold - Rick Springfield -I'm in Love - Evelyn "Champagne" King -Passion is No Ordinary Word: The Graham Parker Anthology 1976-1991 / Graham Parker -Half and Half /Vickie Sue Robinson -Keep It Right There / Marion Meadows

NOTABLE APPEARANCES Opened for "The Police" in Italy with Graham Parker in 1984Opener for Eric Clapton's 'Behind the Sun' tour in 1985World tour with Cyndi Lauper in 1986-87  European opener for Michael Jacksons Bad tour 1989 with Taylor Dayne

TV APPEARANCESJohnny Carson show: Cyndi Lauper,Jay Leno show: Cyndi Lauper, Enrique Iglesias, LamyaDavid Letterman show: Graham Parker, Cyndi Lauper, Shemekia Copeland Soultrain: Maxwell,American Music Awards: Cyndi Lauper Today Show: Enrique Iglesias