August 30th, 2013 
Brian Leak 
“Why ignore the stories my heart longs to tell?”
Kevin Jenkins has been contributing to others’ work for the better part of four decades but recently, the Brooklyn-based soul artist decided it was time to branch out and create some works of his own. His debut effort, Step Inside, is set to release on September 9 and we’ve got all the details right here.
Jenkins recently took some time to speak quite candidly with us about his vast musical background, his new album, opening for huge acts in the past, and his goals for this solo endeavor. Read through the jump and get acquainted with a genuine soul and talent, Kevin Jenkins.
38 years in the business is highly impressive. Can you tell us first of all how you got your start in music? What originally influenced you to get involved with the art?
Yes, that is a long time to be involved in music, luckily I was only 2 years old when I started! Just kidding [laughs]. I started playing bass guitar in my freshman year in high school. Every year as a child I asked for some kind of instrument for Christmas. The year I got my bass something just clicked; I knew it was the right fit.
I began playing for parties in high school and around my neighborhood at the YMCA and the Boys Club, community centers and the like. The reason I wanted to play in the very beginning was simple, I just wanted to feel part of something special. Music seemed to be an activity that one did with others in the service of something greater than the sum of its parts. I didn’t understand it on that level at that time but I got bit by the bug fairly early on.
What has kept you going for nearly 4 decades now?
I guess I carry on making music because in all that time, I have never felt I was working, it feels like a calling, something I have to do. I never know what will happen in any given musical situation, so I am constantly surprised and engaged by my profession. There is always something new to learn. Now with this shift from sideman to front man, it’s like I’m starting all over again!
Over the span of your career, how would you say you’ve changed as a musician and as a person? Are your views of music and the industry any different than when you first started?
That’s a very good question. Because I have been at this for as long as I have, I have witnessed many changes in the business of music, in the technology of music, in the perception of music’s value by the public. I have changed right along with it.
As a young musician I wanted to prove myself over and over again. I was very competitive and “hungry” to be validated by my peers. After some time and experience I understood that for me as a sideman my role was to nurture the song and be present in the performance of that song. Now I feel that if there is no emotional connection from artist to listener and back again, then an opportunity has been missed. It’s been a journey, one that I hope to be on for a long long time.
Technology has come a long way in 40 years. Obviously, the processes involved with music such as recording and distributing are very different than they were back then. This includes social media and how you’re able to interact with your fanbase as well. Do you feel that these changes have helped your career over time? What are some aspects of this evolution that you like or dislike?
Technology has certainly changed the way we “do” music. From the writing and recording process to how we distribute and market it. I have been very supportive of the new technologies used to facilitate the creation of music. I’m a bit of a geek in that regard, however, I think of it for myself anyway, as a tool of inspiration, a sketchbook to work out ideas. Nothing beats getting in a room with real living breathing humans to make music, in my opinion of course.
As to social media and marketing one’s self or group, I have much less experience in that area. I’m a total newbie. I see its potential everyday and hopefully I can learn to use it to get my music out there. That’s the upside of the internet, it’s very democratic. The downside is, everyone clamoring to be noticed by any means necessary dilutes the art of music and threatens all of our longevity.
You’ve worked with some BIG names over the years and opened for huge acts as well. What have been some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences throughout your time as a musician?
I have been very fortunate to work with some pretty amazing artists over the years and not just the ones folks have heard of. Of course Cyndi Lauper is just a fantastic singer and artist. Her work ethic was and is truly remarkable. Maxwell also had that drive for perfection that used to keep him up
late into the night listening to each and every show, looking for ways to improve.
Shemekia Copeland, the young blues artist I work with now is so inspiring, trying with each record to stretch herself, push and challenge herself to grow as an artist. I have learned something from every artist I have ever worked with, known and unknown. I am grateful to them all!
Some cool gigs opening for folks in no particular order. 1989 opening for Michael Jackson in Marbella, Spain, just unreal. 60 or 70 thousand screaming fans all united in their unflinching love of this one individual! Amazing. Same thing in Italy a few years earlier opening for The Police, huge crowd in a soccer stadium. Absolutely phenomenal! There have been many other awe-inspiring moments. I have truly been blessed to do what I do.
We recently interviewed Tomas Doncker who you’ve been working with as well. What can you tell us about what you two have going on?
Tomas is my musical brother! We met around 9 or 10 years ago on a gig and liked one another immediately! We clicked but after that gig was over we didn’t see each other for a few years, then like magic, we met up at a songwriters circle being hosted by my good friend, Tom Paul. I had some songs I had written but was very insecure about them. Tomas was instantly and genuinely supportive! He got me. He was critical in the best sense of the word. He would say, “this verse is good but the chords don’t match the intention of the song,” “you have happy chord changes under melancholy lyrics.”
He knew that I wanted to be better and so he pushed me to be. We share a love for similar kinds of music and we love great songs! He of course has a much more diverse musical palette than I do. Amazing guy, and an amazing talent.
You’re all set to release your solo album in September. Is this your first work that you’ve done entirely on your own terms?
It is and I am very very proud of it! I have to say it would not have happened if not for the support of some very special people. Tomas Doncker who believed in me from the very beginning, my fiance Linda Cronin-Gross, my good friend and drummer Mo Roberts who kept bugging me to write more songs, our genius engineer James Delliticoma.
What’s funny is that even though Step Inside is not out yet, I have already started writing for the next record. I really feel like I am in another phase of my musical journey. Another 40 years maybe!
How do you like the freedom in taking on this solo project compared to your vast array of works with other bands?
Freedom is scary! It’s a challenge after so very many years as the guy in the background, to take that step to center stage. When I was the sideman, if the leader was great, they got accolades, if they tanked, they took the hit, not me. Now I will be the leader and if I sink or swim I have to be willing to own it. Conversely, it’s very liberating to create your own musical universe even if it’s just 45 minutes wide. I have cherished every moment of this process and can’t wait to do it again.
So what can you tell us about this album in terms of any concepts, lyrical themes, and its general sound? What would you say your goal was for this record when you began to work on it?
My idea was to make the kind of record that I would want to hear. I love soul and I love pop. I am a fan of well-crafted songs with interesting themes. I also wanted to tie the record together a bit. My intent is to invite the listener to come with me on a short trip through my head and hopefully my heart.
Songs about karma and insecurity, about loss and social indignation, about love and hopefulness. In the end I’m just trying to make a connection, a sincere and genuine connection. As an mature musician but a very young “artist” I will just have to wait till the jury decides if I succeeded.
Do you have any touring plans in the works in support of Step Inside?
I can’t wait to play this music live! We have a record release party scheduled for October 1 in New York City at the Triad Theater. I will be performing this music with full band an it’s going to be great! Beyond that I will be hard at work trying to put together dates down the road.
As a musician with a very lengthy career, what have been some of the biggest obstacles for you to overcome? Have there ever been times when you had considered doing something else outside of music?
The choice to become a professional musician was not easy and though I was confident as most teenagers are, I had to make some hard choices in order to realize my dreams. I knew that I was not going to have a family of my own, I never really prepared for the future financially, I didn’t acquire very many useful skills outside of music…and I never, ever thought that I would become too old to be considered for a gig.
There have been dark periods for me, hard times and loneliness. Throughout, my spirit, while tested, has never diminished, my path has not always been crystal clear but my soul seems to know where it’s taking me.
So you’re already working on new material now that Step Inside is complete and ready to be released?
Oh yes! I am working on new music and I’m very excited by it. Perhaps as a consequence of my taking so long to do my own thing, I have no problem delving into the different styles of music that have influenced me.
At the moment I’m investigating a stripped down rootsy approach to the next project. I just want to get closer to the idea of emotional connection. For me, music that doesn’t touch me emotionally is quickly forgotten, but the stuff that does lingers and I can listen to it endlessly.
What do you hope listeners will gain from experiencing your new effort? Any particular messages you’re hoping to get across?
This might sound strange but I would hope they get a sense of my innocence as regards sharing my emotions for the first time with them. I don’t mean to say that I’m asking for a free pass, more that this music is my invitation to join me on an inner trip. A calling out for connection and community. Even though I have been a player for many years, I’m a new singer/songwriter and I know that newness and insecurity will show. I am good with that though, because I plan to continue to grow and get better, much much better.
Anything else you’d like to add that we may not have covered?
I have probably said more than I should; we can chalk that up to rookie enthusiasm. Really, I am completely thrilled and a little bit anxious being in this position. I have spent my entire adult life supporting singers and band leaders, and have loved doing that. This new role is at once satisfying and humbling.
Part of me feels like “how dare you attempt to stand where your former employers stood.” My answer to that question is, “why ignore the stories my heart longs to tell?”
Written and conducted by: Brian Lion – Follow him on Twitter
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