Kevin Burt

For more than 25 years Kevin Burt has been electrifying audiences throughout the Midwest dispelling the myth that true blues has no roots in Iowa. His soul-inspired presentation is unique which consistently get him compared to a range of artists like Bill Withers and Aaron Neville, with the ability to build an audience rapport that has been compared to B.B. King.

Kevin is a self-taught musician (vocals, harmonica, and guitar) whose smooth, warm vocal presentation sets a mood of relaxed exhilaration, with a welcome mixture of serious music and infectious humor audiences of all ages seem to enjoy. His voice and presence are powerful. His unique delivery ranges from the sweetest, fullest, juiciest come-on to the most playful growl. Though he performs between 325 and 400 shows a year, he holds nothing back night after night and audiences leave knowing that.  Kevin has had some stage acting experience in his short career. His role as “Papa Gee” in an off Broadway play called “Klub Ka, the Blues Legend” had a two week run at LaMama’s Experimental Theater in New York City was sold out each night. It ran originally in Iowa City, and then in Washington D.C; Burt also arranged all of the blues music for this play.

Kevin also composed the musical soundtrack landed a lead role in a short silent film called “The Guru’s Game”. He also landed a part as himself performing in the independent film “Twelve-thirty”.

Kevin Burt has won many awards and played many festivals both solo and with his band, the Instigators. His awards include Best Entertainer in Iowa City (three times) Best Band in Iowa City (three times) Iowa Blues Challenge Champions, Named as one of the top 25 unsigned blues bands in the world by the International Blues Challenge Competition.

Photos by Dylan Huey

Des Moines Photographer

“I always strive to use photography as a way to tell a story. A photograph by itself is a story of light. It takes a moment and turns it into a lifetime. What I find amazing is it takes an audience to bring meaning. A photograph that is never shown never gets to tell its story and we never have a chance learn from that story. I work to use my photographs and camera to share the light that I see in the world. There is a lot that we can all do to help others as long as we can learn from their story. Bringing light to the dark allows me to focus on what’s important. I will continue to find projects that tell a story, the story of light in this world.” -Dylan