Kenny Sterling

Kenny Sterling is a songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. A co-founder of the boutique Mānuka Recordings label, he divides his time between the studio and the stage. In recent years, his production has powered standout releases from Mānuka artists such as Summer Vee, Eo, Romi Wrights, and Julian Lubin. He also continues to expand his solo instrumental work, building on the cinematic soul and lounge sensibilities introduced in his 2020 debut, Symphony of Streetlights.

Sterling began his creative career as a photographer and videographer, capturing his hometown’s indie rock scene. From there, he found his way into music, where he cultivated a warm, late 20th-century style that draws on the rich influences of soul, funk, spiritual jazz, and boogie. Alongside his production efforts, Sterling composes soundtrack music for advertisements, short films and documentaries, including K Road Chronicles - The Final Season, directed by Ella Wells.

In 2024, Summer Vee’s ‘Judas’ (a jazz-funk track produced by Sterling) was selected for inclusion on Sitting In Trees, a compilation compiled by Growing Bin Records boss Basso for the International Feel label. Sterling’s sound has travelled well internationally via media outlets such as The Lot Radio (NewYork), Le Mellotron (Paris), Ban Ban Ton Ton (Japan), PBS, and Triple R (Melbourne), as well as Rolling Stone.