ABOUT ME

Kevin Clifford is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and band leader from Princeton, New Jersey. Whether it’s stacking harmonies in the studio or leading a band from behind the drums, Kevin’s versatility, passion, and respect for musical traditions is tangible, both live and on record. Featured in articles and videos by Relix, Paste, The Bluegrass Situation and SoFarSounds NYC, his group Dharmasoul with co-leader Jonah Tolchin is deeply rooted in New Orleans funk and blues. Redline Roots says of their single ‘Love Again’, “Even in the course of one track you can tell that the influence between these two individuals spans all sorts of time, genre and space. It’s all about the emotion and feel that a particular song calls for and Tolchin and Clifford realize that fully on ‘Love Again’.”
Nominated for the Carnegie Hall Young Musician award at age 17, he studied jazz performance at Loyola University New Orleans where he performed with Grammy-nominated artists, appearing twice at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Upon moving back home to Princeton, NJ, he co-founded Dharmasoul, a blues/funk duo of guitar and drums who have racked up over one million listens on Spotify. A lover of the stage as much as the studio, Kevin’s solo creations honor his wide-ranging jazz and soul influences with innovative yet accessible sensibilities. In 2020, he joined forces with fellow NJ multi-instrumentalist Pat Van Dyke on the track “Cover You In Blue,” and contributed to his first solo EP, ‘Family Room Vol. 1’. On one track you may hear him holding down the groove on rhythm guitar, overdubbing lush piano chords. On another, Kevin’s lyrics and live drum performance shine through a mix of funky horn arrangements. Never shying away from utilizing his arsenal of talented collaborators, his work is inclusive, diverse, and always begs a second listen.