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BIOGRAPHY

About Ken

Ken Sarmiento, aka "phuzaxeman," was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Newbury, Ohio. His love for playing music started after his mother bought a piano for the family in grade school. He observed and learned to play piano from a jazz/blues pianist Morris, who taught Ken's mother and brother at home for several years. Eventually gravitating toward playing drums for many high school bands, Ken took percussion and drum lessons from a local big band/jazz drummer, Bob Alexander. Ken started to play and write original songs on guitar by the age of 15.

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Moving to Houston after high school, Ken helped co-found the Houston band Phuz with brothers Edwin and Edward Casapao. In addition to playing several shows around town in the Houston area for many years, Phuz notably became the house band at the Project Row Houses in 3rd Ward, working with many soul, rap, and spoken word artists. 

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With the album LP release of WATER, Phuz caught its big break when asked to join Sade's Lover's Rock Tour in 2001 with India.Arie and sharing evenings and stages with notable artists, including Groove Collective, Blue Man Group, Alicia Keys, Ryan Adams, Tony Bennett, Alanis Morrissette, K.D. Lang, Sting, and Natalie Merchant. Television appearances include The Pepsi Challenge on the International Channel and The Connection on PBS. Phuz's albums Water (2001) and Forgiveness (2007) have sold nationwide. 

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After the success of Phuz, Ken shifted more into production. In 2005 he met actress and vocalist Julin. He released Julin's debut album Transitions (2007) as producer, musician, writer, and musical director. Ken put together a full band to support Julin's album release. Houston Chronicle writer Joey Guerra describes, "The musical chemistry is apparent throughout the disc, which features ambient hip-hop touches, rock flourishes, and late-night lounge grooves." Julin released a self-released single in 2010 and the album Play in 2012 with other artists and producers. 

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2012 marked the beginning of Ken's creation, Channel K. With the online release of the debut album Human Beings, the album incorporated electric rock and hybrid grooves. Human Beings featured three tracks: Check Your Head, Human Being, and These Thoughts. Channel K performed its first live show in 2013 and released its album Super Queen in the summer of 2017. Notable live performances include Austin's SXSW in 2016 and 2017, Houston's House of Blues, and Warehouse Live. Channel K also shared the opening slot with Canadian rockers, The Glorious Sons. 

 

In 2022, Ken started a new Zenjii project and released a new instrumental single, Phlow. The newly awarded single recently earned an "Excellent" rating in the 2022 TI:ME Composition Festival. Ken's latest 2024 Zenjii single, Teardrops Fall featuring Clara Mailen, is available on all major streaming platforms. Ken is currently working with up and coming singer/songwriter, Meg Allen, on the new 2025 Zenjii EP, Seasons.  

 

 

 

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