Kenny Summit (US)

New York-based Kenny Summit has been a DJ for over two decades; most recently, he adds the distinction of budding music producer to his ever-growing resume. Hot on the release of his Not Just Talk (Mile End Records) debut studio album and with the launch of his own imprint, Good For You Records, Summit is busier than ever. With a coveted network of venue owners, promoters and fellow DJs/producers that stretches clear across the U.S., the time is right for SUMMIT – a child of the night – to step into the light. The New York of the 1990’s saw the birth of the rave scene, electroclash, and of course, New York house music. Growing up inundated by these sounds, Summit was not only constantly club-hopping, he soon heard the siren call of the DJ and his first gig came at age 16 playing alongside Moby, DJ Keoki and Dee-Lite’s DJ, Super Dimitry at Limelight. Over the years, SUMMIT would DJ at other top New York venues including: Centro-Fly, Cielo, Sullivan Room, Le Souk, Crobar, Avalon and Pink Elephant. Summit’s DJ residencies included three-years each at Le Souk and Limelight, and two years each at Centro-Fly and Pink Elephant. SUMMIT’s laid-back, smooth personality and grace-under-fire earned him a niche in the fashion industry where he DJd stylish scenester events including the VH1 Fashion Awards, various GRAMMY® after parties and film premieres. SUMMIT entertained the well-dressed fashionistas at parties for Versace and Gucci, as well as for events sponsored by Vogue and Sports Illustrated magazines. SUMMIT’s DJ sets were gaining him notoriety beyond his expectations and soon he was being booked by the likes of BRAD PITT, GEORGE CLOONEY, STEVEN SPIELBERG, OPRAH WINFREY, ELLE MACPHERSON, DONALD TRUMP, and even members of the Royal Family of Dubai and former U.S. Presidents. Essentially, Kenny Summit was a real "celebrity DJ", a DJ who was constantly in demand by celebrity clientele, years before the term "celebrity DJ" was tainted by celebrities who become half ass DJs. The increased exposure helped lead SUMMIT to gigs playing alongside some of the DJ heroes he grew up listening to, such as JAZZY JEFF, PAUL OAKENFOLD, TIËSTO, FRANKIE KNUCKLES, FATBOY SLIM, STONEBRIDGE, DAVID MORALES and others. This was a golden era that cemented in SUMMIT the conviction that DJing was his calling. The production phase of SUMMIT’s career took off when he met two-time GRAMMY® Award winner and house music maestro, ERIC KUPPER. Together with studio engineering and production whiz, SCOTT WOZNIAK, and GRAMMY® nominated remixer, JAY-J HERNANDEZ, they tutored SUMMIT on the intricacies of studio production and he dove into the challenge head-on. Eager to translate his passion for great music into original works, SUMMIT spent countless hours in the studio honing his craft. SUMMIT said, “I was at the point where I really couldn’t do much more as a DJ. Production was the obvious next step. I had a long talk with JUNIOR SANCHEZ about production and he gave me some good advice.” Starting with an MPC-2000 and eventually moving on to Logic, Reason and Ableton Live, SUMMIT immediately showed a knack for production. In 2009, he delivered his first mix compilation titled One Night In St. Tropez for Ultra Records, as well as dancefloor-pleasing tracks, “Mayhem” and “Keyed Up.” Together with WOZNIAK, SUMMIT then went on to make a remix for ESTELLE’s “Fall In Love” for Atlantic Records. Of SUMMIT’s hit single, “Keyed Up,” DJ Times magazine described the track as having “a tough groove that is highlighted by some sexy chord work and nonstop underground energy…very hot!” It was one honor after another that boosted the confidence of SUMMIT and gave him the fortitude needed to forge ahead in the cutthroat world of electronic dance music. In early-2012, SUMMIT released his first full-length artist album, Not Just Talk on Montreal based house imprint, Mile End Records. "I remember playing the tracks for Scott (Wozniak) and Jay-J (Hernandez) and they both looked and me and said 'You did these tracks?', and it was at that point where I knew I actually made something worth releasing." Never one to rest on his laurels, SUMMIT also launched his own Good For You Records in 2012 as his role expanded to A&R and label chief. Upcoming releases include: KENNY SUMMIT ft DARYL D’BONNEAU’s “Why Me?” with a remix by FRANKIE KNUCKLES; KENNY SUMMIT’s “Lazerz”; JUSTIN SCHUMACHER’s “It’s Because”; and GODDAM KIDS’ “Departed.” Signing artists and releasing music outside of the house music genre, SUMMIT is also working on releases with an 8 piece band called SUNNY DAZE featuring lyrics by hip-hop legend GRAND PUBA, the Artifacts and more artists to be announced. With a full schedule of releases coming up on his Good For You label and a series of live DJ dates taking him across the country and back, there is no stopping KENNY SUMMIT until he reaches the pinnacle!