Scott Kinsey

Scott Kinsey (born August, 1970) is a keyboardist best-known for his work with the jazz fusion group Tribal Tech. He has also performed or recorded with numerous other artists including Gary Willis, James Moody, Bill Evans, Robben Ford and the fusion group Uncle Moe's Space Ranch with guitarist T. J. Helmerich. He is a 1991 graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has also recorded numerous soundtracks for major motion pictures including "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve". Kinsey's first solo CD project, "Kinesthetics", was released in 2006 on Abstract Logix.

Musical Career

In addition to his work with Tribal Tech (featuring Scott Henderson and Gary Willis), Scott has performed and recorded with: James Moody, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Philip Bailey, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Bill Evans, Robben Ford, Gary Willis, WDR Big Band, Serj Tankian (System of a Down), David Holmes & The Free Association, Joe Zawinul, Danny Carey (Tool), Norrbotten Big Band, Tim Hagans, Bob Belden, Nicholas Payton & Sonic Trance, Matt Garrison and many others.

Kinsey has also lent his record production skills to Philip Bailey (“Soul On Jazz”), Joe Zawinul (“Faces and Places”), Tim Hagans (Imagination Animation and ReAnimation - Both Grammy nominated) Tribal Tech (Reality Check, Thick, Rocket Science), Scott Henderson (Dog Party, Tore Down House) Gary Willis (Bent) and James Moody (“Homage”).

You can also hear Scott featured in the soundtracks to “Ocean's Eleven”, “Code 46”, “Stander”, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”, “Brown Sugar”, “Analyze That” and 2005’s “Ocean's Twelve”. Other soundtrack projects include Bob Odenkirk's "You Are Going To Prison".

Scott, as an improvising synthesist, has always utilized the newest technology and is always striving to reach the improvisational potential of the synthesizer. He is often referred to as the closest protege of the late fusion keyboard pioneer Joe Zawinul, with whom Kinsey ahd a long personal and musical relationship. Zawinul served as the Executive Producer for Kinsey's first solo CD, "Kinesthetics".

“Kinesthetics”, was released in October, 2006. The album features Steve Tavaglione, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Cyril Atef, Michael Landau, Scott Henderson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Alex Acuña, Abraham Laboriel Sr. and many others.

Critics On Scott Kinsey

“Kinsey doesn’t just blow incredible solos or lay down perfect voicings; with the sounds he dials in, every note is a three dimensional adventure.” - Ernie Rideout, Keyboard Magazine, January ‘99.

“Tribal Tech's secret weapon remains keyboardist Kinsey, who not only adds harmonic meat with his richly provocative choral voicings, hip comping and counterpoint melodies but also stands as one of the most creative and unpredictable synth soloists around. He is always looking to push the envelope.” - Bill Milkowski ‘2000 “

..."Kinsey, perhaps in compensation for his inhuman chops quotient, has now established himself as an innovator for incorporating the human element, in the form of sampled vocals—pitched, unpitched, sung, spoken or screamed—into his custom-programmed sonic voice.” - Phil DiPietro, All About Jazz.com, 2004