Edward Kass

Bass

Praised as a “master of his instrument” and “virtuosic performer of undeniable gifts” (Fanfare), bassist Edward Kass performs internationally as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician, specializing in contemporary performance. A graduate of the San Jose Unified Public School system, Kass is noted for his “phenomenal musicianship” (Which Sinfonia) and “terrific precision” (The Arts Fuse). 

A frequent performer with groups including the International Contemporary Ensemble, Ensemble Dal Niente, and Chameleon Arts Ensemble, recent appearances include Lucerne Festival, Tanglewood, Huddersfield, and Donaueschinger Musiktage. Dedicated to the creation of new music, Kass has premiered dozens of new works, including commissions by Katherine Balch, Sarah Gibson, and Unsuk Chin.

Since 2016, he has performed with soprano Nina Guo as Departure Duo. Known for their “inestimable chemistry” with “both intimacy and power” (Take Effect), the duo has sold out shows at Spoleto Festival USA and has been featured at Yellow Barn, km28 (Berlin), and more. Their “exquisitely beautiful” (Avant Music News) debut album, Immensity Of, was released on New Focus Recordings in 2022.

Sought after as an artistic leader and pedagogue, Kass served as a Contemporary Leader for Lucerne Festival from 2020 through 2025, a role combining performance with artistic curation and pedagogy. He has been in residence at Boston Conservatory, Stanford, Brandeis, and more. With pianist and music therapist Renate Rohlfing, Kass co-created “Tell Your Story”, a community-based creative engagement project for Spoleto Festival USA to create sonic memoirs preserving the oral history of the Charleston area. He is also co-founder and co-artistic director of DownEast New Music, Maine’s first chamber ensemble dedicated exclusively to the performance of contemporary music.

Kass holds degrees from New England Conservatory where he studied under Todd Seeber and Lawrence Wolfe. In 2015, he received NEC’s John Cage Award for Outstanding Contribution to Contemporary Music Performance.