Dion Kerr

Dion Kerr is a forward-thinking multi-dimensional artist (multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, songwriter, photographer, and videographer) born and raised in South Florida.  Kerr’s work reflects a broad range of influences and mediums.  He has toured and recorded worldwide as a leader and a sideman to various groups spanning multiple genres. Dion can be seen at some of the most renowned festivals, venues, studios, and galleries with many great young and upcoming artists of all art forms.  Kerr has shared the stage with Ignacio Berroa, Nicholas Payton, Marcus Strickland, Etienne Charles, Lillias White, Godwin Louis, Jean Caze, Immanuel Wilkins, Justin Brown, and Tivon Pennicott.  Dion is the co-founder of the band ‘The Smoogies.’ They released their debut album ‘Planet Smoogies’ with trumpeter Nicholas Payton and just released their second full-length album ‘People Music’ alongside completing a national tour funded by South Arts for their grant-winning proposal.  Dion was the engineer and co-producer of Seafoam Walls record ‘XVI’; he also played guitar in the live incarnation, released on Thurston Moore’s label ‘Ecstatic Peace Library,’ which was recorded and produced all in his home studio.  Dion is also credited as a songwriter and arranger for Jessica Tonder’s ‘A Rise Of Peace’ feature with Nowness. He is also a key member in many other highly sought-after bands in South Florida and New York art scenes.   His musical career began early on by being billed with the Dave Leibman quartet while he was still in High School, leading them to reconnect at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in NY, where he attended school on full scholarship.  He has been seen at venues and festivals such as The Blue Note, Sevilla Jazz Festival, Martinique Jazz Festival, Ground Up Festival, Guatemala Jazz Festival, Quebec City Jazz Festival, Young Jazz Festival, Casa Del Jazz, Adrienne Arsht Center. He has toured North America and Europe extensively with different bands.  Dion has scored music for films that have been featured at SXSW, New Orleans Film, and Miami Film Festivals.   Dion Kerr displays his unwavering talent as not only a producer and multi-instrumentalist but a conceptual artist.  Utilizing acoustic and electric elements, he blends a wide range of influences and styles into a cohesive sound that expands the limitations of genre-bound music. There are hints from all of Dion’s eclectic taste found in his records’ melodic groove-based instrumentals. Experimentation is essential in Dion’s process and is always represented in vivid fluidity. Dion Kerr’s new solo record, set to be released in 2023, follows up his latest releases ‘Ivy’, which also features Jeff Parker, Bubby Lewis, and Adam O’Farrill, ‘Reptile Ground,’ ‘Echoes of Lost Time’ and ‘Ruby.’  His records showcase his expansive musical knowledge and arranging abilities featuring himself on bass, guitar, drums, keys, vocals, engineering, production, and mixing.