Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Stout.
Hi Kevin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Multi-instrumentalist Kevin Stout born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Black Friday, the youngest of six siblings. He began playing and singing at an early age, and by the time he was 8, he was studying the accordion. By age 14, he was already playing multiple instruments as well as composing and arranging. At 16, he was leading his own band and arranging all of the music, studying trombone with Carson Sharp, and working as a studio bassist.
In 1978, after some time spent at the University of Utah, Kevin joined BTB, a disco band based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After this group disbanded, he moved to Las Vegas to join Sidros’ Armada, and has worked with numerous acts such as Barbara Streisand, Josh Groban, Aretha Franklin and Lady Gaga. Kevin was a member of the Four Freshmen jazz vocal group for eight years where he sang the baritone part and played trombone, guitar and bass.
In addition to his playing credits, Mr. Stout is an ASCAP Award winning composer, and recently wrote arrangements for Broadway composer Richard Oberacker, as well as Las Vegas’ Composers’ Showcase.
Mr. Stout released four cd’s on the Jazzed5 label. The latest is a tribute to his home state of Utah, entitled “Color Country”.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I basically spent 20 years on the road with bands, living in hotel rooms, and practicing whenever possible. I’ve been to all 50 states and 10 countries.
It was always difficult to maintain relationships when traveling full time. Also, a shady band manager had our tax records dissapeared, and I ended up paying for it for for about 30 years. I lived like a pauper on the road, with barley enough to have some hot plate burritos.
In 2011 I was diagnosed with Major Depression, and two years ago I learned that I.m neurodivergent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I mentioned that I’m a multi-instrumenalist, and I counted 44 a few years ago when an audition asked. I’ve added a few since then.
Here are some of the artists that I’ve accompanied.
Male Vocalists
Frankie Avalon
Tony Bennett
Andrea Boccelli
Roy Clark
Josh Groban
Hugh Jackman
Steve Lawrance
Seth MacFarlane
Johnny Mathis
Boys2Men
Joe Piscopo
Lionel Ritchie
Bobby Rydell
Boz Scaggs
Frank Sinatra Jr.
Frank Stallone
The Temptations
The Four Tops
Frankie Valli
Joe Williams
Female Vocalists
Patti Austin
Celine Dion
Aretha Franklin
Lady Gaga
Eydie Gormèt
Leslie Gore
Jennifer Hudson
Alicia Keys
Shawn King
Peggy March
Maureen McGovern
Patti McGuire
Kerry O’Malley
Rita Moreno
Lena Prima
Amy Poehler
Debbie Reynolds
Barbara Streisand
Gladys Knight (Grammy
My Discography
Discography
Kevin Stout & Brian Booth 5 Good Pals#* 2002
Kevin Stout & Brian Booth 5 Up Jazz Creek#* 2003
Kevin Stout & Brian Booth 5 Tales of the Tetons#* 2004
Kevin Stout & Brian Booth 5 Color Country# 2014
With David Foster David Foster Hit Man 2011
With The Four Freshmen The Four Freshmen Voices in Standards 1994
The Four Freshmen#* Class in Session 1997
The Four Freshmen#* 50th Anniversary 1998
With Gladys Knight Gladys Knight Christmas Celebration2006
With Michael Paloma Michael Paloma New York Blues 2006
With Frank Mantooth Frank Mantooth Ladies Sing for Lovers 2008
With Sidros’ Armada Sidros’ Armada One Hand Joe 1983
Television
NHK Television Special from Tokyo Four Freshmen 1994
Stan Kenton Berlin Reunion Band Four Freshmen 1996
The Smith Center From Dust to Dreams 2012
David Foster Hit Man 2011
Don Rickles Mr. Warmth 2007
The Four Tops The Four Tops Live at the Stardust 2005
The Four Freshmen Fifty Years Fresh with Maureen McGovern 1995
The Four Freshmen Charles Grodin Show 1996
Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon 2006-10
HBO Behind the Candelabra 2012
Gramm Org Tribute to Frank Sinatra 2016
Tony Bennett/ Lady Gaga special 2016
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Practice more than you eat.
Pricing:
- Color Country 14.99 Itunes
