SINGAPORE, Sept 6 — You have probably heard his soothing tinkling piano tunes before — whether it is in elevators, while waiting for the train in MRT stations, or during a spa session, just before slipping into sleep. Most people probably do not even know the pianist’s name, let alone the song’s title.
But American pianist-composer Kevin Kern does not mind that his tunes are “elevator music”. In fact, he is quite proud of it.
“I am the king of public spaces. I am often heard on airlines and transit, like the MRT,” said the 57-year-old, who is born legally blind. “But whenever I walk into a large public space and hear my music, it’s always a surprise. I don’t expect it. It makes me smile.”
Kern, who has six Billboard-charting releases and some 20 years of experience in the industry, says the strangest place he has ever heard his music was at an aquarium at Haeundae Beach in Busan, Korea. “I was walking with my wife, Pam, and British singer, Paul Potts, with whom I was on tour, when I heard Sundial Dreams coming from inside the aquarium. That was definitely unexpected.”
Describing his piano solo pieces as “sound paintings”, Kern says he uses the piano to “paint” music pictures of scenes that are often suggested to him in the moment. This formula has obviously worked for him, as he is considered one of the genre’s most successful composers and performers. His music has also been used in TV shows such as Oprah and The Late Show with David Letterman, as well as commercials for companies such as Mitsubishi.
Here are six reasons why Kevin Kern’s piano music more credit.
His music has been used in a popular Korean drama, Autumn In My Heart, which means more than 100 million people have heard it.
“It’s truly thrilling, no one ever plans something like that. You write music that inspires you, that you think represents your best. But when another artist from another discipline, such as the great Korean director, Yoon Seok-ho, chooses your music and later tells you that, ‘Your music and my drama go very well together’, it’s a true honour to be considered a peer of someone at that level.”
Some people see his music as some sort of therapy.
“Some of my listeners feel that my music is therapeutic for them and I’m touched to make a positive difference for people that way. For me, composing is the main purpose of being a musician. Creating something that didn’t exist until I made it, is the thing I love most about being musical. Plus, as a blind musician, anytime a new state-of-the-art piece of music equipment becomes ‘accessible’ (usable by a blind person), it’s like Christmas to me, because new possibilities are literally just around the corner.”
His music is also popular at weddings — and funerals.
“I’ve received countless letters and emails from people for whom my music has been a part of the soundtrack of their lives. For some, I have been a part of their best, most beautiful moments, like weddings, or the birth of a child. For others, my music has comforted them in their saddest moments. I still remember the woman who asked me if I would perform at her husband’s funeral. He had died unexpectedly and, since I happened to live in the area, I was able to lend a hand in her darkest hour. Just as you can’t predict the day that one of your songs will be used in a drama that goes global, you can’t predict the day that you will have the chance to be a powerful part of another person’s life.”
His music inspires others to pick up the piano...sort of.
“Probably the most touching comment I remember came from a fan in an autograph line. She was several months pregnant and, as I signed her CD, she told me that she hoped her unborn child would, someday, grow up to play the piano just like me. Wow!”
He has been at the top of his game for 20 years.
“All of the music for which I’ve been known over the last twenty years wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been open to trying something new by learning about a new genre called ‘New Age’. Because I was open to new possibilities, I’ve seen more of the world and met more people than I ever would have had none of this happened.”
He does an awesome live show, which you can catch at The Star Theatre soon.
“Since The Star Theatre is said to project a remarkably intimate ambience for a space of that capacity, I’ve decided to approach the show as if we were all in my living room. The concert is presented as a twentieth anniversary celebration of my debut CD, In the Enchanted Garden, but I’m also going to share music from my brand new CD, When I Remember. And I’m going to do it in a conversational style, the way I would if we were all at my house. Among other things, I plan to play at least one song with all the lights in the entire hall completely turned off. This is because that is the way I compose and entertain myself and my wife when I’m at the piano at home. I did this once before in a Singapore performance and absolutely loved it. I hope you all will, too.”
Best of Kevin Kern Live — 20th Anniversary Concert takes place on Sept 10, 8pm, at The Star Theatre. Tickets at S$58, S$88, S$98 and S$148, available from Sistic. — TODAY
