Hope Newman Kemp is a piano-driven singer and songwriter whose artistry draws from her North Carolina jazz-infused gospel roots. With a passion for storytelling through song, interpretation, and vocal phrasing, Hope has curated a sonic and style aesthetic that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds, drawing inspiration from iconic artists such as Carole King, Andrae Crouch, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Herring (2nd Chapter of Acts).

As a dedicated mother of four and proud grandmother of nine, Hope’s life experiences infuse her music with depth and authenticity. Her journey as a songwriter has led her to explore themes of romantic love, resilience, and refining faith, creating an emotive connection with listeners that transcends generations. In 2018, at the start of her “empty nest” season, Hope self-produced “Hoping for Real, songs inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit” and developed it into a musical reading theater show. In 2020, she collaborated her vocals with The Stephen Anderson Trio (Anderson on piano, Jason Foureman on Bass, Dan David on drums), all University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill jazz studies professors, on an album of excellent American songbook standards called “Carolina Bluebird Jazz Project.”

Hope’s recent project, the musical foray FACING EDEN, showcases her evolution as an artist and spiritual transformation as a human being. Produced by Nashville’s own Jeremy Casella, the album features 11 original acoustic songs that highlight her ’60s-styled songwriting and lyrical prowess. The rich tonalities of her lush, old-school vocals sit perfectly inside a pocket curated by such notables as Chris Rodriquez and Phil Keaggy on guitars, Josh Hunt and Eric Darken on drums and percussion, and Bryon House on double bass. The result is an organic aesthetic basking in Sunday jazz cafe Americana, spanning genres from Jazz and Gospel to Bluesy Folk and even the Thematic.

With her powerhouse voice and heartfelt lyrics, Hope Newman Kemp continues to inspire and uplift through her music and invites the listener on an adventurous journey of reflection and hope. Along with songwriting and producing her own passion projects, Hope shares her creativity for performing as a local Big Band vocalist in her hometown. In whatever setting, Hope remains committed to her craft, touching lives through the universal language of music.

A self-proclaimed “Overseer of People and Place,” Hope lives quietly on 100 acres of family farmland in central NC with her dentist husband Mark and pup Mister Bingley. Whether in the studio, on stage, or in her living room, Hope’s dedication to her art and her family remains at the forefront, making her a cherished figure in the Faith and art landscape.