Kevin Diehl
Musician • Composer • Arranger • Organizer • Producer
Bands: AIRLFT, Onilu, Instant Arts Quartet, Ashé Mystics, Ade Ilu Bata Ensemble, Sonic Liberation Front
Kevin Diehl is a Philadelphia based drummer, percussionist and composer operating at the intersection of alternative jazz, traditional percussive arts, and forward leaning technologies to bring together communities and creative viewpoints. In addition to instigating opportunities for creative interactions within the music community at large, Kevin serves as a cultural worker for Orisa worship communities in the Philadelphia/Mid-Atlantic Region.
KEY POINTS:
Philadelphia-based drummer, percussionist and composer
Student and mentee of the late Sunny Murray
Ensemble leader recognized #1 or Top 10 by the Village Voice, All About Jazz, Jazziz
Further recognized by leading international press including New York Times
Recognized Downbeat Critics’ Poll 2021-2023 A Top 5 Rising Star Percussionist.
Priest of the Lucumi (Afro Cuban Yoruba) culture
Olu Bata (keeper of the sacred drums) in the Lucumi (Afro Cuban Yoruba) culture
Founder of the Lucumi Youth Choir
Label co-producer/partner at High Two Recordings
CURRENT PROJECTS:
Onilu with Chad Taylor and Joe Chambers (2024)
Justice - The vocal works of Oliver Lake with Sonic Liberation Front
Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons meets Ade Ilu Lucumi Ensemble (2024) recording
Instant Arts Quartet (2024) with Matt Lavelle, Terry Lawson, Pete Dennis
The Ashé Mystics (2024) - with Julius Masri and Joshua Marquez
The Instant Arts Duo (2024)
AIRFLT ensemble and performance series
Lucumi Youth Choir
The 1st Annual AIRLFT Sound Festival
COLLABORATIONS:
Chad Taylor, Joe Chambers, Oliver Lake, Marshall Allen, Odean Pope, Sunny Murray, Donald HarrisonJr., Khan Jamal, Michelle Rosewoman, Thurman Barker, Badal Roy, Kulu Mele Dance and Drum Ensemble, Gene Golden, Skip “Brinquito” Burney, Andy Gonzaléz, Prometheus Chamber Orchestra, Termite TV collective, Kariamu Welsh, Shaness Kemp
COMMISSION:
Kevin Diehl composed a commissioned work “Jetway Confidential” by Ars Nova Workshop in 2009 for inclusion in the ICA Philadelphia exhibit performance “Pathways to Unknown Worlds: Sun Ra, El Saturn & Chicago’s Afro-Futurist Underground, 1954–1968”
DISCOGRAPHY:
Onilu - Joe Chambers, Kevin Diehl, Chad Taylor (Eremite Feb 2025)
Jamaaldeen Tacuma’s Philly Improv Society | Episode One (BandCamp February 15, 2025)
Marshall Allen's Ghost Horizons | Live in Philadelphia (Otherly Love May 2025)
Instant Arts Quartet - Matt Lavelle, Terry Lawson, Pete Dennis, Kevin Diehl (HighTwo August 2025)
The Ashé Mystics (HighTwo August 2025) - Julius Masri, Joshua Marquez and Kevin Diehl
Marshall Allen Trio with the Ade Ilu Bata Ensemble | The Ominiverse Oriki (HighTwo Sept 2025)
DISCOGRAPHY: with Sonic Liberation Front on High Two Recordings
Water and Stone (2000)
Ashé A Go Go (2004)
Change Over Time (2006)
Sonic Liberation Front Meets Sunny Murray (2011)
Jetway Confidential (2012)
Bombogenic (2016)
Moon Rust Red Streets (2021)
Justice, the vocal works of Oliver Lake (High Two 2022)
SONIC LIBERATION: FRONT large scale performance works:
“The IT Summit” Prince Music Theater,
“The Dream Book” presented by Bowerbird and the Philadelphia Jazz Project at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center
“Kule Se Mama” A live performance at the John Coltrane Festival, Philadelphia Jazz Project and Temple University
Kevin Dieh’s Ashé All Stars featuring Donald Harrison, and introducing the Lucumi Youth Choir at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
Musical Director for Philadelphia Jazz Project’s “Satellites Are Spinning” series - a performance at the Franklin Institute's Fels Planetarium. A Sun Ra tribute.