Kenton Chen
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Kenton Chen

Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF

Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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"Kenton Chen"

The first thing I notice when Kenton Chen sits down is how bubbly and gleeful he seems. “Hold on one second, I have an idea for a song,” he says as he turns on a recording device and starts humming a few notes. The powerful voice that emanates from the Irvine native, coupled with an endless dedication to his craft, is the reason why, at age twenty-two, he has already recorded an album and is on the BR!NK of competing on NBC’s hit reality series, The Sing Off, with the a cappella group he founded, The Backbeats. Before putting on an extraordinary show for the likes of Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Lachey, and millions of Americans in front of their television sets, Kenton sits down with us and discusses his career plans, ambitions, influences, and what winning could mean for the future. - Daily Brink


"Kenton Chen"

The first thing I notice when Kenton Chen sits down is how bubbly and gleeful he seems. “Hold on one second, I have an idea for a song,” he says as he turns on a recording device and starts humming a few notes. The powerful voice that emanates from the Irvine native, coupled with an endless dedication to his craft, is the reason why, at age twenty-two, he has already recorded an album and is on the BR!NK of competing on NBC’s hit reality series, The Sing Off, with the a cappella group he founded, The Backbeats. Before putting on an extraordinary show for the likes of Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Lachey, and millions of Americans in front of their television sets, Kenton sits down with us and discusses his career plans, ambitions, influences, and what winning could mean for the future. - Daily Brink


"Kenton Chen shows chops, amusing lyrical sense in opening slot"

[...] he used an electronic looping station to cook up a crazy doo-wop version of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” His version, loaded with vocal gymnastics that showed a very wide range, was just about as good as the one Nickel Creek pulled off a couple years back at Jefferson Center.

He moved on to three originals. The highlight was “Take Me Home,” a wry look at the night life pickup scene. “No one is that perfect stranger/But you will do … If you’re looking for love/What I’m offering is close enough,” he sang, to audience laughter.

The kid has real vocal quality and an unassuming manner, the latter of which may or may not serve him well. But he is definitely impressing at least one seriously accomplished songwriter. - Roanoke Times


"Kenton Chen shows chops, amusing lyrical sense in opening slot"

[...] he used an electronic looping station to cook up a crazy doo-wop version of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” His version, loaded with vocal gymnastics that showed a very wide range, was just about as good as the one Nickel Creek pulled off a couple years back at Jefferson Center.

He moved on to three originals. The highlight was “Take Me Home,” a wry look at the night life pickup scene. “No one is that perfect stranger/But you will do … If you’re looking for love/What I’m offering is close enough,” he sang, to audience laughter.

The kid has real vocal quality and an unassuming manner, the latter of which may or may not serve him well. But he is definitely impressing at least one seriously accomplished songwriter. - Roanoke Times


"Show Review: Ben Folds and Kenton Chen at the House of Blues, Anaheim 7/20/11"

A few minutes ahead of the scheduled start time the lights dimmed and the curtain pulled back to expose Kenton alone on stage with a stool, a few microphones, a Baldwin grand piano (same piano Ben would use for his set), and a box that would allow Kenton to cue and play background instrumentation during his set. In total silence, he went into a cover of “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. His range was extremely impressive, from high falsetto to deep bass. He also covered Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” a song I’d never heard before, but it was an impressive performance. He moved from the stool to the piano where he took on the task of playing an original song called “Elena.” When performing non-a cappella songs, his voice and tone sounds a lot like Robin Thicke, especially when he hits the higher register. While hitting those lower notes, elements of Stevie Wonder comes out of his vocal stylings. - Verbicide Magazine


"Show Review: Ben Folds and Kenton Chen at the House of Blues, Anaheim 7/20/11"

A few minutes ahead of the scheduled start time the lights dimmed and the curtain pulled back to expose Kenton alone on stage with a stool, a few microphones, a Baldwin grand piano (same piano Ben would use for his set), and a box that would allow Kenton to cue and play background instrumentation during his set. In total silence, he went into a cover of “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. His range was extremely impressive, from high falsetto to deep bass. He also covered Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” a song I’d never heard before, but it was an impressive performance. He moved from the stool to the piano where he took on the task of playing an original song called “Elena.” When performing non-a cappella songs, his voice and tone sounds a lot like Robin Thicke, especially when he hits the higher register. While hitting those lower notes, elements of Stevie Wonder comes out of his vocal stylings. - Verbicide Magazine


Discography

Something About Love (2010)
Fierce Tears EP (2011)
Believe In - Single (2012)

Photos

Bio

Emerging from a cappella and jazz roots, Kenton Chen is a unique pop-centric voice that is hauntingly pure and soulfully melancholy. From his solo a cappella act to his bare honest lyrics, Kenton surprises his audience with his unassuming, playful, and evocative communication through song.

The Fierce Tears EP, released July 2011, is Kenton’s second release as a solo artist, a preview of his forthcoming full-length album. The three-song EP showcases not only Kenton Chen’s soaring, pristine vocals but also his prowess as a lyricist with the evocative “Enough.”

“At my best, my songwriting is simple and poignant, revealing my heart in the only way I know how: through stories as I see them around me,” Kenton explains of his mindset in approaching new songs. “For me, it’s not just about music. It’s about using music to foster an open, honest, and conscious community .”

A native of Irvine, CA, Kenton grew up taking violin lessons from his father and singing in church bands and school choirs. After graduating from USC with a degree in Vocal Jazz and performing with the internationally renowned , award-winning SoCal VoCals, Kenton gained national attention as the music director and founding member of The Backbeats, 2nd runner-up on Season 2 of NBC's The Sing-Off. Their dynamic a cappella renditions of everything from Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” to Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy” were a testament to Kenton’s keen sense of musical direction as well as his skills as a group leader.

An avid songwriter, he combined his jazz, classical, and pop influences on his first solo album Something About Love, (released February 2010). Along with his well-received debut, Kenton has shared the stage with artists as Sheryl Crow, Sara Bareilles, Stevie Wonder, and Natalie Cole. Kenton also actively supports music education in schools and is a sought-after vocal teacher in Los Angeles, teaching classes at Musicians Institute.

After opening for Ben Folds on a series of successful East and West Coast shows in 2011, Kenton is looking forward to exploring his full band sound as he develops his newest album.

With music that is playful, thoughtful, and full of heart, Kenton Chen is ready to take center stage.