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HOPE NEWMAN KEMP (Long Bio) Hope Newman Kemp is a piano-driven singer and songwriter whose artistry draws from her North Carolina jazz infused gospel roots. With a passion for storytelling through song, interpretation, and vocal phrasing Hope has curated a sonic and style aesthetic that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds, drawing inspiration from iconic artists such as Carole King, Andrae Crouch, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Herring (2nd Chapter of Acts). As a dedicated mother of four, and proud grandmother of nine, Hope’s life experiences infuse her music with depth and authenticity. Her journey as a a songwriter has led her to explore themes of romantic love, resilience, and refining faith, creating an emotive connection with listeners that transcends generations. In 2018, at the start of her “empty nest” season, Hope self produced “Hoping for Real; songs inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit” and developed it into a musical reading theater show. In 2020 she collaborated her vocals with The Stephen Anderson Trio (Anderson on piano, Jason Foureman on Bass, Dan David on drums), all University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill jazz studies professors, on an album of great American songbook standards called “Carolina Bluebird Jazz Project.” Hope’s recent project, the musical foray FACING EDEN, showcases her evolution as an artist, and spiritual transformation as a human being. Produced by Nashville’s own Jeremy Casella, the album features 11 original acoustic songs that highlight her ’60’s styled songwriting and lyrical prowess. The rich tonalities of her lush, old school vocals sit perfectly inside a pocket curated by such notables as Chris Rodriquez and Phil Keaggy on guitars, Josh Hunt and Eric Darken on drums and percussion, Bryon House on double bass. The result is an organic aesthetic basking in Sunday jazz cafe Americana spanning across genres from Jazz and Gospel, to Bluesy Folk, and even the Thematic. With her powerhouse voice and heartfelt lyrics, Hope Newman Kemp continues to inspire and uplift through her music and invites the listener on an adventurous journey of reflection and hope. Along with songwriting and producing her own passion projects, Hope shares her creativity for performing as a local Big Band vocalist in her hometown. In whatever setting Hope remains committed to her craft, touching lives through the universal language of music. A self-proclaimed “Overseer of People and Place”, Hope lives quietly on 100 acres of family farmland in central NC with her dentist husband Mark, and pup Mister Bingley. Whether in the studio, on stage, or in her living room, Hope’s dedication to her art and her family remains at the forefront, making her a cherished figure in the Faith & Art landscape.
HOPE NEWMAN KEMP (Short Bio) Hope Newman Kemp is a piano-driven singer and songwriter whose artistry draws from her North Carolina jazz infused gospel roots. With past albums “Hoping for Real; songs inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit” (2018) and “Carolina Bluebird Jazz Project” (2020) showcasing her evolution as an artist, Hope’s recent project, FACING EDEN sonically expounds on her spiritual transformation as a human being. Produced by Nashville’s own Jeremy Casella, the album features 11 original acoustic songs that highlight Hope’s ’60’s styled songwriting and lyrical prowess. The result is an aesthetic basking in Sunday jazz cafe Americana spanning across genres from Jazz and Gospel, to Bluesy Folk. Also a vocalist for a local Big Band, and proud grandmother of nine, Hope lives quietly on 100 acres of family farmland in central NC with her dentist husband Mark, and pup Mister Bingley.
HOPE NEWMAN KEMP (Super Short Bio) Hope Newman Kemp is a piano-driven singer, songwriter, and big band vocalist. She resides on 100 acres of NC farmland with her husband Mark, and pup Mister Bingley.
ABOUT FACING EDEN FACING EDEN began as an EP but blossomed into an entire full- length work with producer and songwriter Jeremy Casella, along with a voluminous bandwagon of talent. Tracked at the storied Watershed Studio in south Nashville, the result is an album leaning toward café jazz but keeping deep roots in 60s songwriting. Encompassing expansive sonic territory, the record isn’t afraid to wander into blue cocktail hours (“My Inflatable Heart”), gospel riversides (“Mercy,” “Come Home,” “Let It Rise”), ballad-style acoustic hymnody (“Maria’s Song”), and even the free rubato motion of a musical theatre sound (“Take Them Home”). Hope’s personal perspective is the lyrical driver. Despite swinging with heavy hitters in the studio, much of her time is spent as caregiver, homemaker, and overseer. The thrust of her lyricism, therefore, is encouragement, down to earth, an encouraging rebuttal against the dominance of creativity by the capitalist and ambitious. With the various outward reaches into genres, Facing Eden can best be described as Americana in a liberated fashion, touching multiple styles born out of Hope’s NC roots. FACING EDEN, with its emphasis on inward concerns, outward service, and Hope’s lyricism is monastic (n a very jubilant sense), delighting in the local, the personal, and the unsung. (ADAM WHIPPLE, www.adamwhipple.com) Credits - Released August 30, 2024 All songs written and performed by Hope Newman Kemp Session Players: Piano and Vocals: Hope Guitars: Chris Rodriguez Double Bass: Byron House Drums: Joshua Hunt Percussion: Eric Darken Overdubs: Featuring: Phil Keaggy BGVs: Hope, Jeremy Casella, Chris Juengel, Robin Revier Additional Guitars: Jeremy Casella Hammond B3: Blaire Masters Slide: Dave Cleveland Violin and Viola: Avery Bright Cello: Cara Fox Engineered & Mixed by Jim Dineen Mastered by Voyager Mastering Produced by Jeremy Casella Recorded October 2023 at Watershed Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. License - all rights reserved.
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