Born March 4th, 1956 in Kearney, Nebraska, USA, Kermit began playing piano at age 5, bass at 13. A student of Jaco Pastorius in 1974, he later attended the Berklee College of Music, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1978. He has recorded and performed with: The American Composers Orchestra, Patti Austin, Chet Baker, Bang-on-a-Can All Stars, Don Byron, John Cale, Dave Douglas, Robert Dick, Buddy Emmons, Michael Feinstein, Bill Frisell (a band member from 1987 to 1996), George Garzone, Eliot
Goldenthal, Michael Gordon, Gerry Hemingway, John Hollenbeck, Wayne Horvitz, David Johansen, Russ Johnson, Ben E. King, Tony Malaby, Ben Monder, The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, The New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur, Phiharmonia Virtuosi, The Pointer Sisters, Buddy Rich, Mick Rossi, Elliot Sharp, Keeley Smith, Phoebe Snow, Soldier String Quartet, Toots Thielmans, Mel Torme, Tony Trishka, Kenney Werner and John Zorn. A veteran of 28 Broadway shows and numerous film scores and TV commercials, he is currently affiliate faculty at Sarah Lawrence College.