James Kennedy & Friends

James Kennedy- 6 & 12 string guitars, Matt Alles - Bass, Eric Madison - Drums, Catherine Lawson- 5-string violin.
James Kennedy has been a force in Iowa music for many years. During that time, he and his groups have toured regionally, nationally, and internationally playing venues of all sizes - delighting audiences of all ages and receiving praise from reviewers around the globe. The group's long list of credentials attests to the fact that this group of seasoned professionals combines their passion and touches each listener with the power of music.
Heart Consort Music is celebrating 25 years in business this year as an independent record label with a variety of performing groups and a recording studio. The longevity of the company can be attributed not only to the quality of music it produces but also to it's ability to change and "stay fresh" and "flexible". These are the very qualities in both the label and the James Kennedy & Friends group that appeal to audiences and reviewers alike, and keep them "comin' back for more"...

"James Kennedy & Friends"  has performed at festivals and venues all over the world including  Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague in The Netherlands; and the Euro-Disney Jazzfest in Paris, France. 

Accomplishments include entries in the Grammy Awards for 10 years in a row, features in Downbeat magazine, JazzReview, O'Place Jazz, Great Music Sites.com, Kweevak "Editor's Choice" & "Readers' Survey" awards for 5 years in a row, and many other independent music industry awards and honors. Our record label, Heart Consort Music, is celebrating 25 years in business this year and we have twenty one releases.  All of our releases have received national/international airplay and distribution. Our group tours regularly in support of these releases both in the US and abroad.