We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Brewster and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kevin, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids. Michigan, and growing up in this beautiful city full of art and culture has impacted me greatly. Being brought up in a Pentecostal Church has also really built the foundation of the artist I am today, from singing in the choir, playing drums, then to playing the saxophone in church. Doing this taught me how to act as a performer with knowing how to speak/engage with the audience and express myself musically. What also helped me was being involved in music in school. The school district I attended from kindergarten to my senior year of high school is full of so many different ethnicities and cultures which is why I feel that I have gotten so much of a better experience as a musician from being in that environment, I learned to appreciate music way more by understanding different cultures and being able to play/hear the music from different cultures.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Saxophonist, Singer, and Arranger. Being an artist, what I try to do the most in my music is reach out to others mentally and emotionally. Music is a language that everyone understands no matter your race, ethnicity, or religion, music is used as a comfort zone for all people no matter how you feel. It is also one of the most strongest ways to guide each other to peace which is what I try to do in my music. What has gotten me to where I am professionally is keeping god first, keeping my spectrum open, having connections with musicians, and being guided through people that I hold close. Going through any career path is never going to be easy, but when doing something you love and putting blood, sweat, tears into it, it seems easy. Which is how it has been for me. I have been through different challenges but what has helped me is seeing those challenges as learning experiences. My mother has always taught me that “A wiseman is always learning” and that quote has helped me through all my trials and tribulations. As an artist, I want the world to see me as an activist through music. Everyone has different opinions in discussion and politics but I just want to use my music to bring everyone together and have everyone for once agree on one thing as a whole which is justice, equality, peace and freedom.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was to visit Grand Rapids, I would first show the music scene here. Grand Rapids is full of art and culture and has so many underlying talent as well. I would take them downtown to a popular lounge that we have here called “SpeakEZ Lounge” where they have live bands performing and usually holds jam sessions every Sunday. I would also bring them to “GRNoir Wine and Jazz” a new jazz club that just opened up this past summer where they also have live bands perform. I would then show them around downtown Grand Rapids and different attractions we have such as Rosa Park Circle, a Main Street call “Monroe Center St NW” that was just made a honorary dedication to Breonna Taylor and now the street is called “Breonna Taylor Way”, the “La Grande Vitesse” which is a public sculpture by Alexander Calder, etc.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to Bob Nixon. Mr. Nixon is a Grand Rapids based saxophonist that performs with different jazz ensembles in Michigan and has also performed around the country with The Temptations, The Spinners, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, etc. and I am truly honored to say that he is also my mentor. Since my freshman year of high school when I sent him an email asking him if I could take private lessons with him, I’ve grown so much. From him teaching me fundamentals on my instrument, sending me home with hard assignments to do while i’m practicing, life as a performing artist, and life-stories of things he encountered as a musician has helped me be a better musician and person. Truly blessed to have been under his wing these past 4 years.
I would also love to give a shoutout to my parents who have been there for me my whole life, Audrey Reed and Carlton Brewster Sr. for being so loving and supportive over the career path that I chose to pursue. With guiding me through life and for making there jobs as parents look so easy even though I know it’s so hard, which is why I’m eternally grateful.
Lastly, I would love to give a shoutout to my highschool band directors James Ross, Marshall Werling, Natalie Sears. and Dr. James Sawyer. They have been such a big part of my life these past 4 years with guiding me and being so supportive as well.
Website: linktr.ee/kevinbrewster
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kevinbrewstermusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.brewster.7374
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPokM4zRdAXZuuZzu_YoQ_w/videos
Image Credits
Flair Photos Rachelle Rae Photography