Kevin So

The talented Boston singer/songwriter Kevin So has been compared to such legendary music icons as Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, and James Taylor, and has been referred to as a “living Bruce Lee-turned singer” and hailed by Recording Magazine as “the Amy Tan of the singer/songwriter world.”

So is arguably one of the most exciting and powerful singers and songwriters to emerge from the Boston music scene. Making a name for himself as a boundary-stretching singer and songwriter, So's original blend of pop, rhythm and blues, and hip hop has garnered the attention and praise from Billy Bragg, Martin Sexton, Mary Lou Lord, Richie Havens, David Wilcox, and most recently Keb Mo. The Boston Globe (Steve Morse, May 1995) described So as "Riveting...impeccable."

Kevin is one of the most recognized artists in the Asian American community. He too admits that "there aren’t enough of us." Fans all over the world have caught on to So's lyrical truths and his knack for engaging people through his music, intense storytelling, and foot stomping performances. He has been nominated eight times for the Boston Music Awards and has opened for some of the industry's best known acts including Joe Cocker, Randy Newman, Richie Havens, Billy Bragg, Mary Lou Lord, Livingston Taylor, Martin Sexton, Robben Ford, Chris Smither, and Dar Williams.

Kevin was invited in 2002 to perform at My America, a tribute held by AURA (Asians United to Raise Awareness) at The World in Times Square in commemoration of the tragic events of September 11. He has also played the main stage at the world-renowned Kerrville Music Festival in Texas as well as such famed clubs as The Fillmore West in San Francisco, Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, and The Beacon Theater and The Bottom Line in New York City.

Kevin's love of people and community are not only illustrated in his music, but also in his sense of civic obligation. In addition to a rigorous tour schedule, Kevin has performed at many charity fundraising benefits for organizations such as The New England Home for Little Wanderers, the American Heart Association, Anytown New England, and the Judge Baker Children's Center.

Kevin, a Chinese American born and raised in greater Boston, attended Boston Latin School and went on to Los Angeles to graduate from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies. From there, he moved back to the East Coast, and for 10 weeks, worked as a professional keyboardist for Premier Cruise Lines that took him back and forth from Cape Canaveral to the Bahamas. Kevin then joined a cover band called XPO, and as a singer, keyboardist, guitarist, and dancer, performed at various clubs across the United States. Tired of performing Top 40 material, Kevin hung up his "cover band hat" and decided to hit the highly competitive open mic Boston circuit in January 1995 performing his own songs. He was soon discovered in 1995 and was said by The Boston Globe to be “riveting, impeccable, fast developing, and unusually talented.”

So considers his earliest days of fame to be his “folkie days,” full of clear influences from Bob Dylan and that entire genre. 2002 saw the rise of a sound that was more influenced by pop/r&b, and So always found himself backed by his band Midnight Snack. Since then, Kevin has produced eight independently released CDs, including his latest "Leaving The Lights On" - what he describes as "my Asian American Songs in The Key of Life... my Quan-drophenia" combining such diverse influences as Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye with a little bit of Richard Pryor thrown in. Confronting identity, relationships, history, sexuality, family, and racism, this recording is one of the most talked about albums of the year. What So has recently done with Best Foot Forward, his newest album, is a complete reversal in style. When talking about this complete change, So says “I wanted to do a complete 180, like many of my musical heroes. I’d released two full-length albums with drums, bass, electric guitars, keyboards, background vocals, and horns. I’d toured all around the U.S. and Hong Kong…This time around, I want to give something back to the fans.”

Now with a rigorous touring schedule, and sold out shows at Club Passim in Cambridge and Schubas in Chicago, Kevin So is quickly becoming one of the most sought after artists on the national music scene. More significant, he is an important voice for our generation and for generations to come.

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6/4/09: Kevin So

Reminiscent of James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, and Billy Joel, singer/songwriter Kevin So plays music from his recent solo acoustic recording Best Foot Forward.

Kevin So

Reminiscent of James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, and Billy Joel, singer/songwriter Kevin So plays music from his recent solo acoustic recording Best Foot Forward.

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5/10/01: The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Showcase

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Showcase highlights the myriad talents of singer/songwriters Beth Amsel, Deirdre Flint, Kevin So, and Christopher Williams.

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Showcase

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Showcase highlights the myriad talents of singer/songwriters Beth Amsel, Deirdre Flint, Kevin So, and Christopher Williams.

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