Press
Interested in the press I’ve received or considering me for a potential gig? Well you’ve come to the right place! Below are a few quotes about my music, and to left are links to other aspects of my Electronic Press Kit for you to explore!
“The mark of the finest performers, I’ve often thought, is not how well they play to a crowded hall full of fans, but rather, what happens when they’re faced with a couple drunks and a distracted guy at the soundboard in a basement. The last time I saw Jamie Kent perform was under such conditions, and I was honestly blown away. He was riveting, attacking each song with gusto and charisma, playing with a band that was as sharp and creative as his vocals.
I enjoyed Kent’s first album, Neoteny, but his second, Navigation, is a major step forward for this young Northampton native. Whereas he once toyed around with trying on other people’s styles, he’s now found his own. The disc captures this new confidence and sense of identity beautifully. One part swing, another part funk, two parts jazz, and a whole lot of joy.”
—Mark Roessler, The Valley Advocate
“A fresh, young 25-year-old singer-songwriter with big dreams and an ever-expanding fanbase, local artist Jamie Kent’s future as a performer looks quite promising. Drawing on influences from modern artists like Jack Johnson and Jamie Cullum, as well as paying tribute to classic greats Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra, Kent’s perfectly mellifluous tunes are roll-the-windows-down, soak-up-some-sun kind of good.”
– The Iron Horse Entertainment Group
“What happens to the idea that genre is important to people when a modern hipster can whip the audience into a fist-pumping froth? It seemed some particularly weird magic had occurred, the sort of thing you can hope for in a live show, but never plan.”
– James Heflin, The Valley Advocate
“There is no song from Jamie’s debut album, Neoteny that is not short of spectacular. Each song is as enjoyable as the previous.”
– Michael J, The Great Unknowns Presents
“Kent possesses a great voice and a fearlessness to be admired as he drifts through glimpses of blues, jazz, and rock notes that suggest Steely Dan influences without being derivative. This one has true promise.”
– Donnie Moorhouse, The Springfield Republican (full article here)
“Neoteny reveals itself to be a swinging, witty romp of an album… with a hybrid jazz/rock sensibility reminiscent of Steely Dan.”
– Mark Roessler, The Valley Advocate
“Smashing good vibe. I could imagine bros chilling out to Jamie Kent and chicks removing clothing upon listening.”
– SadSteve.com
“Everything simply comes together perfectly.”
– Shakefire.com (full article here)