Presented by: Eternal Music

Emam and Friends Web Site

Kai Eckhardt bass Click on the picture to get a larger (higher resolution) version. Listen to music featuring Kai From the album "Global Fusion" by Emam & Friends Ode to Zanko (Emam) Jai Hanuman (Trad. Adapt./Emam) Think of me (Emam) With all your heart (Emam) From the album "Jai Ganesha" by Emam & Friends Carpe Diem (Emam/Yashoda) Step Into Your Future - Part2 (Emam) Desert Moon (Emam) Kai Eckhardt was born on June 15, 1961 in Mainz, Germany. Being the son of a German mother and a Liberian father, he was raised in Germany and West Africa. He began to study the bass guitar at age 15 and went on to establish himself as a well known and respected musician. Kai left Germany in 1983 to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. While still in school, he became a member of the Bob Moses Group and Tiger's Baku. At the same time, Boston served as a home base for the launching of various international tours. It was during this period that his special talent first received international recognition. Kai was the bassist for: Steve Smith's Vital Information, Alphonse Mouzon, Randy Brecker and Stanley Clarke. In 1987, Kai graduated from Berklee with honors and was offered a teaching position at the college. In the same year, Gary Burton recommended him to guitarist John Mc Laughlin. Kai joined the John Mc Laughlin Trio, which featured percussionist Trilok Gurtu, in December of 1988. The Trio toured extensively throughout the world and recorded two albums. The acclaimed Live at the Royal Festival Hall, recorded 1989 in London, documented a new direction in Mc Laughlin's music. This recording has been described by many as historic for its outstanding musicianship and unique stylistic blend. Between 1990 and 1993, Kai 's focus shifted towards composition. After a period of study, he began to write for a variety of different musical settings. Some of his work as a composer and arranger is currently being performed by the vocal ensemble SoVoSo, formerly known as Bobby McFerrins's Voicestra. In 1994, the government of the United States granted Kai the status of a U.S. resident, based on his extraordinary abilities as an artist. He then went on to work with Billy Cobham's International Quartet, Touring the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, Kai's career as a recording artist and live performer has continued to develop in a multicultural direction. The Aziza Mustafa Zadeh recording project brought together the folk music of eastern Europe with jazz. This 1995 release for Sony Germany features Kai along with Al Di Meola, Bill Evans and Omar Hakim. The production was followed by a successful tour, and the album reached the #1 position in the German jazz charts . In the summer of 1995, Kai performed in Europe with the New York based band Steps Ahead and received a jazz award from Sony records. The year 1996 began with the Vibe Tribe tour of Germany, which included Patrice Rushen, Larry Williams and Teri Lynne Carrington. In the same year, Kai recorded 'Native Dreamer' with Brazilian percussionist Dudu Tucci. Kai is also featured on Maria Joao's latest album entitled Fabula with the help of Ralph Towner, Mario Laginha and Manu Katche. Another 1996 project combines Spanish, Indian and North American music. The Colorado based band Curandero recorded their second album with Kai E. and Bela Fleck. In 1997 Kai conducted a series of masterclasses at Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Bass Collective in New York City and the Anton Bruckner Conservatory in Austria. At an earlier date he also held a masterclass with Journey drummer Steve Smith at the Musician's Institute of Technology in Los Angeles. Shortly after he joined the band 'Glimpse', lead by percussionist and three time Downbeat poll winner Trilok Gurtu. Over a period of two years he performed with this ensemble worldwide. This formation produced two albums, one in 1998 and one in 1999. In November 1999 he completed the recording of his debut album for the British Naim label. Featured artists are Zakir Hussain and Courtney Pine. Kai is currently Touring with the Band Garajmahal featuring Fareed Haque, Eric Levy and Alan Hertz. In March of 2001 he played a series of concerts with Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, featuring the music of saxophonist George Brooks, joined by Mandolin player Mike Marshall. To this day, Kai has produced three works within the modern approach to education. "ESP", the Experimental Seminar Project, "AnT," the seminar Art in Technology, and the multimedia performance piece "A modern Fairy Tale". More information about these projects can be made available upon request. For more information on Kai, please check out his web site: www.kaizone.com