Now playing full time, Colin can be seen playing in many groups such as:
Elizabeth Shepherd Trio, God Made Me Funky, Scott Kemp Collective, Michael Occhipinti, Brownman Electryc Trio aka. Nick Ali, Charlie Finlay Quartet.
The Elizabeth Shepherd Trio (EST) consists of Elizabeth (piano), Scott Kemp (bass). In 2007, Start To Move, the trio’s first album was nominated for a Juno Award in the catergory “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year”. The EST also performed on CBC ‘Fuse’ radio show hosted by Alan Neal at the Junos in Saskatoon. While attending the 2007 Juno awards, Colin Kingsmore was hired by CBC to perform with: the Hilario Duran Trio (Juno 2007 Winner) , Molly Johnson, David Braid, Richard Underhill, Roberto Occhipinti, and Jon Ballantyne (Juno Winner – Best Traditional Jazz Album of the Year 2007). The EST won ‘Best Jazz Group’ (Elizabeth Shepherd Trio) at the Indie Awards- Toronto (2007). The Elizabeth Shepherd Trio was Voted #3 Jazz Album of the Year 2006 on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide BBC Radio 1 London. The Trio released their second album ‘Besides’ in the Spring of 2007 and performed in Japan July 2007. Bluenote had invited the EST to perform 8 shows at The Cotton Club in Tokyo, Japan. EST also performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as touring Nova Scotia in 2007.
Previously, in August of 2006, the trio performed at their CD release party in London England at The Jazz Cafe as the opener for The Five Corners Quintet. The EST was then invited back four months later to perform four straight nights at The Jazz Cafe as the opener for The Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring Spanky Wilson. Both EST albums have been released on Toronto’s Do Right Record Label. The trio has also performed ‘Live in Session’ including Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide show on BBC Radio 1 UK, and Matt Galloway’s Here And Now show on CBC Radio One Toronto. The EST recently toured Nova Scotia and plans to return to finish their cross country Canadian tour this summer with dates in Europe in September. The EST has been receiving most of their performance and touring opportunities through S.L. Feldman & Associates as well as the management of Do Right Records (John Kong).
In 2007, The Brownman Electryc Trio won Best Electric Trio Canadian National Jazz Awards. The trip is up for the same award for this year. Brownman’s Electryc Trio plays the Toronto Jazz Festivals as well as other clubs surrounding the GTA. Brownma’s Trio recently performed on the CBC Metro Morning Show with Andy Barrie to promote performances at the Lula Lounge. Trumpet monster, Randy Brecker performed with the trio at the Lula Lounge in January.
Colin has also performed with hip hop/jazz fusion legend – Guru from Jazzmatazz/Gangstarr (www.gurusjazzmatazz.net). Another recent rapper Colin has performed with is M-1, known for his work as one half of the political hip hop duo Dead Prez (www.deadprez.com). Colin has also had the opportunity to perform with some of the high profile DJs such as DJ S-Luv (Pocket Dwellers) as well as nationally acclaimed DJ Z-Trip (www.djztrip.com).
In the summer of 2005, KC Roberts and The Live Revolution opened for the Black Eyed Peas at The Molson Amphitheatre. KC’s band plays all original music. Their sound incorporates elements of funk, rock, jazz and hip-hop. They play regular gigs throughout the GTA.
The Scott Kemp Collective (SKC) consists of Scott (bass), and Michael Occhipinti (guitar). The Collective plays original music with some rearrangements. The Scott Kemp Collective has consistently played The Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival as well as Gate 403 on Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto on a regular basis. SKC has also toured Western Canada 2007.
Colin has also performed with Michael Occhipitni and Paul Neufeld’s Jazz Ochestra (NOJO). NOJO won a Juno Award in 1996 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album were nominated in 1997 and 1999. In 1999 Nojo won Big Band of The Year (Jazz Report). Colin is on the regular sub list in place of the amazing drummer from NOJO, Barry Romberg. Colin has also been a regular sub for the dance band Grooveyard, lead by Michael Occhipinti and Lester McLean. Colin toured Western Canada with Michael Occhipinti’s Trio in 2007.
The Charlie Finlay Quartet performs many gigs in the Markham area including the Markham Jazz Festival.
Colin also records music for film and jingles with sound engineer, Charlie Finlay.
Colin also teaches in his studio and in other music schools in the GTA.