Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire,

Composer John M. Kennedy produces an eclectic range of work from mixed ensemble and solo pieces to multi-media and theatrical works, that draws upon his roots as a Rock and Jazz bassist. Recent compositional highlights include the premieres of  “Syrinx: Requires I, D.M.” for solo double bass (2020), composer as bassist, “Chaconne-Part 1” for mixed sextet by the French group TM+ (2019), and “Meditation” and “Fury” for solo ‘cello by Maksim Velichkin (2019). In Europe his work has been premiered and performed at World Saxophone Congresses in Scotland and Zagreb; in Malta by members of the Malta Philharmonic and the Armed Forces Malta Band; Interensemble of Padova, Italy; the Salzburg Mozarteum; and Asian new music festivals in Bangkok, Kwang-ju and Daegu. As a double bassist he premiered William Roper’s “New-Opened Eyes-1965” memorializing the Watts Riots in February 2019, and in June 2019 premiered Roper’s entire graphic score suite,  "Experience > Dream > Memory - Slivers of Time”. Early recognition for his work includes the Charles Ives Prize from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters and a Young Composer Award from ASCAP. His work has been recognized by Meet the Composer (Now New Music USA), ASCAP Plus Awards and Subito grants from the American Composers Forum, Los Angeles. A faculty member of California State University, Los Angeles since 1994, he received an Outstanding Professor Award in 2013.  At the University of Michigan, he studied music composition with Leslie Bassett and William Albright, and double bass with Lawrence Hurst and Stuart Sankey.

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