about

With songs that range from sassy rockers to ballads, covering topics from pets to television and every angle on love imaginable performer extraordinaire, Laura Kemp (has the) ability to make an audience chuckle, tear up, and feel an instant connection with her lyrics - all in the course of one song. San Francisco Bay Guardian

Described as a singer-songwriter with “a twist of bluegrass, folk, and jazz,” and accompanying herself on guitar, harmonica, banjo, and harmonium, Laura Kemp has been a fixture on the music scene since moving to Oregon in 1990. She has 5 studio and two live CD’s as well as an instructional songbook in her “product” case, and has gained a reputation as one of the finest songwriters on the west coast. A dynamic performer, her refined confidence and uncompromising frankness on stage, and her unique brand of acoustic poetry have earned her comparisons to Bob Dylan and Nanci Griffith, as well as consistently won her “Best Female Musician, Best Singer-Songwriter, and Best Solo Artist” honors in the Eugene Weekly readers’ poll.

In listening to Laura’s music, it is evident that she was raised on the folkies of the 60’s, her first record being Peter, Paul, and Mary and second being Simon and Garfunkel (or was it John Denver?). She began playing guitar at the age of 8, performing every chance she could get, including while living in Germany in 1987, honing her skills in Irish pubs and busking in the streets (while supposedly attending classes at the University of Regensburg). Three years in Nashville and two more in North Carolina gave her an injection of bluegrass music, which continues to be an obvious influence in her songwriting and playing style.

In addition to performing as a solo artist or fronting the Laura Kemp Band with Brian West on drums, Elijah Copeland on upright bass, and Jeremy Wegner on mandolin and banjo, she’s got a couple of other projects that keep her entertained on the side. Over the last several years she has been stretching her vocal and guitar chops by learning jazz standards, expanding her repertoire and putting her own folksy twist on songs such as God Bless the Child and Summertime. She has recently begun booking shows with her jazz trio, 3 on the Tree (Laura on vocals and guitar, Jeffrey Kane on bass, and Dan Kruse on saxophone). In the spring of 2008 she took a three month excursion to India to study yoga and music. She brought back a harmonium and since then has been writing music to Sanskrit mantras on her new acquisition. She has plans in 2010 to break out the new “sound” somewhere other than occasionally in her yoga class.

In her 20 year career she has performed on numerous stages throughout the country, including Passim in Cambridge, MA, CBGB’s Gallery in NYC, Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA, The Great American Music Hall in San Fransisco, The Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR, Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, Bald Eagle Music Festival in Haines, AK, Chamizal Festival in El Paso, TX, Bighorn Mountain Festival in Sheridan, WY, and in her hometown, Eugene, OR on the main stage of the Oregon Country Fair, the Willamette Valley Folk Festival, and the Eugene Celebration.

A sought after guitar teacher in Eugene, Laura has taught and mentored many young musicians over the past 15 years. When she is not focused on her music, she is an avid gardener, backpacker, and is deeply committed to her yoga practice.