Kalimba/Tech Fusion | Kevin Spears | TEDxGreenville

A truly amazing performance by one-man sounding like many - using a native African thumb-piano, the kalimba, and technology to give the audience sensory overload.
Hailed by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears has raised and rewritten what is possible on the traditional African instrument called kalimba. As a one-man ensemble, Spear’s mastery of the kalimba, customized musical gadgets, tiny synths and experimental percussion allow him to create live a fusion of world, jazz and folktronica that moves you’re feet and stirs your soul.
Not only does he perform, Kevin makes his own kalimbas, including an electronic version that he connects to a custom pedalboard he designed that would make any guitarist envious. It is amazing to see and hear how he takes a seemingly small instrument and squeezes so much sound from it, and perhaps this is the reason that he is often compared to musical legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Herbie Hancock and Les Paul, among others.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@Cat-qo3ht]

Wow!!! You got me dancing in my kitchen at 6:30 in the morning!! You are a musical genius ! I'm a newbie Kalimba player. Three months of playing and learning every day. Never played an instrument in all my 60 years but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I am blown away by what you do! Bravo👏👏👏🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@Elizabeth-lz3xu]

What a talented individual! I just ordered my own kalimba.

[@RebeccaLydia1980]

Elizabeth me to..at Thomann...greetz from the Netherlands,enjoy Yours🎶🔊

[@Tundra1428]

You can tell it's real, when it looks like it. I felt a beat. Is it in my soul or in my heart? I believe my ears hear. It'd be more of a treat if I heard it.

[@3ossomok588]

Is it me or this guy looks like denzel washington's twin

[@FiaZkomanjKaK]

I immediately identified the infamous iKaossilator 🤣🤣

[@BoyMonkeyKid]

this man's demeanor, its denzel washington

[@87ksan]

who knew denzel washington was a musician too?

[@Jracula_]

87ksan underrated comment^

[@Squirrelconga]

"Ha-hAA!"

[@Cat-qo3ht]

Yes!! And he sounds like Pres. Barack Obama, too😁

[@CeeJay254Art]

So underrated

[@wongkitlongmarcus9310]

freaking chill!

[@desertsandcastles]

The Apple African thumb-piano goes back thousands of years.

[@MrNicofrog]

apple?

[@beautifullight451]

Good to see your gift from God is continuously making room for you "Kalimba Man"my friend...I would like to hear you sing more...such an amazing voice....I would like to see you play soon...when are u playing here in Atlanta.

[@sunnycharacter]

How can folks stay in their seats! I’m an old white lady and I’d be on my feet!

[@mikeb2575]

Hey Lori, don't ever change, because you are brilliant :)

[@sunnycharacter]

Mike B lol, seriously. That crowd was tough. That scene of the crowd politely clapping their hands to the music without so much as a head bob. I’d be up on my feet, embarrassing whomever came with me, and not caring. I was a teenage music loving valley girl in the Bay Area in the 70s. The love of all music was bred into my blood. 🎶🥰🎶

[@mikeb2575]

@@sunnycharacter You are amazing !!! Have a fantastic day xx

[@sunnycharacter]

Mike B Awe, you are too kind. You have a great weekend too!

[@lan911]

Dude! This is freaking epic! Mo!

[@leo.nordmann]

wow this deserves much more recognition. SOOOO SO AWESOME

[@InnerWrapStudio]

Kevin! You never cease to amaze me! Thanks so much! Got my Kevin Spears pro kalimba! Would love a lesson! Rock and groove on my brother!!

[@pinkponyofprey1965]

Too funny! I just came from another Kalimba video wondering what it would sound like with a modernized Kallimba and this video was recommenced to me!!! o_0 This is totally spectacular and I wish I knew more about Kalimba years ago kind of haha!

[@shanhmental]

Great! Kalimba one man show ***⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kandels3195]

What kalimba is he playng with ?

[@wingedinfinity6715]

THIS IS AMAZING !!! LOVE THIS SO MUCH, TOTALLY ORGANIC IN CONSTRUCTION WITH SO MANY UNIQUE SOUNDS .... LOVE THAT IS UNPREDICTABLE. HE SHOULD TOUR !!!!! 💓🎶💓

[@RebeccaLydia1980]

Yess awesome! 💪👏And his voice sounds Just like Obama😂

[@iveno_]

Love it man :D what kinda app did you use dude ?

[@OttosTheName]

Korg Kaossilator App (at 2:37 it was briefly visible). I tried it and wasn't all that impressed, but I think it's quite popular.

[@user-moonchildish]

Epic stuff!

[@rgayda]

He rocks the Kalimba! more better if he uses the wah pedal for Hendrix sounds.. it makes me interesting about this instrument ..👍

[@orochimaru1485]

Wow this is so cool!!

[@leefowler3240]

An Interesting amalgamation of sound

[@atelierderael6551]

whats is the name of the app in the ipad?

[@thepoetmd]

Fair play Mr Spears. You play the Kalimba quick!!!! Congratulations on a great show.

[@Woolie.]

wonderful i played with you and your instruments and my mouthharp.

[@sonx22]

Great Stuff Kev!!.............Lp

[@valerieoldham9094]

It was a pleasure meeting you today!!

[@777fiddlekrazy]

for sure!!! Obama Kicked ass as a Musician! JK!! This guy KEVIN Rocks man!!

[@tsietsiramoshaba7954]

GIVE that man a bells damm

[@denisegardner1807]

Id like to buy 2 kalimbas

[@daqwan]

awesome

[@keithbell9117]

My man Kevin, Keep it going.

[@stephenhill6003]

Herbie Hancock would be proud.

[@MichellsAdventures]

How awesome!

[@TV-oe8bj]

칼림바 저렇게 쓰는거구나 🤩

[@adalinebeauty]

Wow! Sensor overload in deed!! Love it

[@svetlanahebert6785]

💃💃💃

[@adenas39]

Brother you are truly amazing!!!!

[@apathys_grip]

Amazing!!!

[@Eukaliptous120120]

virtuoso

[@KembaCofield]

You are so awesome!!! Love it!!!

[@ThatOneDj]

Someone knows the app Is using on the touchscreen?

[@artyomvoronin1641]

looks like korg ikaossilator

[@ThatOneDj]

@@artyomvoronin1641 ty very much :)

[@amysterling]

Funky, I like it!

[@parekhayan]

Verry nice.

[@ukundu1]

lovely

[@joyrd.exit9skudded886]

killing it boy fire

[@ashbull]

love this

[@metalduru316]

SoOoOoO good

[@ninggonmei2016]

Wooo amezing

[@ninggonmei2016]

Sorry for ma inglis 🤣🤣🤣

[@kristianskibrek1356]

This was awesome!!

[@puggychu]

Wow...amazing sounds. Such a talent.

[@robhasenwinkle]

What is the touch screen looking device he is playing after the Kalimba?

[@KennethKinoshita]

It's some kind of snythiser

[@KennethKinoshita]

Sythinsizer

[@KennethKinoshita]

Synthesizer electronic synthesizer

[@AdrumaVictoria16]

Thank you!

[@tropicaldistrict22]

amaing player but somethings dont need to be modernised.