Kersten Stevens, Queen of the Violin, is among the most exciting and unique emerging artists in jazz.
She is a six-time winner of the historic Amateur Night and Showtime at The Apollo; she's performed with music greats Kim Burrell, renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, international jazz bassist Christian McBride and performed for esteemed notables President Barack Obama, Ray Charles, Denzel Washington among others, now launches her much anticipated fifth album, QUEEN RISING.
Having emerged from an accomplished classical music foundation and honored for music excellence by her alma mater, Yale University, Kersten has fostered a unique improvisational freedom with her violin, which wows generations of music enthusiasts while introducing her savvy and sophisticated music style to young fans.
Her latest release, QUEEN RISING, leads a growing breed of performers innovating jazz authenticity by collaborating with some of the industry's most outstanding and respected musicians.
QUEEN RISING is co-produced with and features performances by 8x Grammy Award-winning bassist and one of the world’s best jazz musicians and innovators, Christian Mcbride. He’s performed with everyone from James Brown, Paul McCartney, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Mos Def, Queen Latifah and Quest Love. McBride performs on all eight tracks of QUEEN RISING and co-wrote four original songs with Kersten: “Queen Rising”, “Release The Grace”, “Beginnings and Endings” and “Crowned”. The pair also collaborated on three new arrangements: “Someday We’ll All Be Free”, “Fantasy”, and “Best Part”.
The most “In Demand Drummer of His Generation,” Eric Harland, a multi Grammy Award-nominated drummer who’s worked with music greats Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spaulding, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, and McCoy Tyner, to name a few, expertly performs throughout the album.
Renowned flutist, Ragan Whiteside, recognized as the 2022 Best Contemporary Jazz Artist by the Jazz Music Awards, showcases her extraordinary talents on the original song “Queen Rising”.
The star-studded musicianship does not stop there! Grammy Award-nominated piano/ keyboard player, arranger, and musical director Miki Hayama, whose credits include Aretha Franklin, Nnenna Freelon, Jazzmeia Horn, Kenny Garret, plays throughout the album.
QUEEN RISING was mixed by 10x Grammy Award-winning audio engineer Todd Whitelock, who's worked with everyone from Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Harry Connick Jr., to Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis.
Kersten's vision for QUEEN RISING is to spark curiosity in our own personal ascension, in the reasons we overcome and how we rise above. It is a sensual reclamation of not just her own purpose and power, but that in each and every one of us. QUEEN RISING is a bold new statement in jazz, undeniably linked to the tradition of string masters from Regina Carter and Noel Pointer to Stéphane Grappelli and Jean Luc Ponty; an essential, innovative contribution to the legacy of jazz violin.
Kersten is coming off great success with her single "Faith's Hymn (Amazing Grace Remix)," and from her previous release, INSPIRE ME, which became a pivotal collection of original and traditional worship songs performed with a satiating palette of jazz design. INSPIRE ME was recognized as the Christian Contemporary/ Gospel Album of the Year by the Independent Music Awards and garnered acclaimed media reviews for her music and live performances.
Music critics also applaud Kersten's live performances for technical brilliance and expansive musicality:
"Breathtaking pyrotechnics that burst with pure joy."
All About Jazz
"Imagine if the spirit of Marion Williams suddenly possessed jazz master Jean-Luc Ponty's violin, and you have some sense of what Kersten can do. She is a gift to music."
The Black Gospel Blog
In addition, Kersten has earned several distinguished awards. She is a six-time winner of the historic Amateur Night and Showtime at The Apollo. She was honored for music excellence by her alma mater, Yale University, the NAACP, Hal Jackson's Talented Teens, The Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra, and many other recognitions.