Kenneth Hill

Kenneth Omar Hill affectionately known as “Dreamer”, was born September 23, 1946 in Philadelphia PA. to his beautiful mother Eloise Brown and his father, the late John H. Hill. Kenneth, who actually preferred to be called by his middle name Omar, was the 5th child out of a family of 6 siblings. Omar was always musically inclined and conscious to vibes and acoustics. He had an ear for sound. Omar was a percussionist as well as a perfectionist. And he wouldn't rest until he got that cool, crisp clear sound that he desired to be on every last one of his tracks. Even if it took all night. You could easily tell by listening to tracks such as, Caribbean Breeze, Colors of Diane, Afro Blues, and Faces of Africa just to name a few. In each track, every instrument is on time, coordinated, clear, and crisp. A smooth blend of skills, experience, and passion to format some of the best Jazz ever produced to date.

Omar was a man of integrity, morals, and principle who stood for family value, family structure, and education. Omar loved God and raised his children to love God. He was a no-nonsense type of man that stood at the head of his family and showed by example what a man is supposed to be. He showed his six daughters and his son how to stand up on two feet, not to make excuses, and how to accomplish whatever they want to accomplish by using their brains. He loved to make people think by using riddles and loaded questions, and he found delight when people figured things out on their own. Omar was a natural born comedian who loved to make his family laugh and feel good. Omar fully understood his purpose in life and he fulfilled that purpose by loving God, loving and taking care of his family, and making some of the best Jazz music known to man.

Omar was a Philadelphia Native Jazz icon who was an original member of a group called “The Sounds Of Liberation”. He performed with groups like “The Delfonics” and “Sun RA Arekestra”. He also played alongside some of his good friends like Khan Jamal, Dwight James, Bill Mills, Charles Beasely, Micheal Ray, Artie Webb, and Monett Sudier. As well as a few who aren't with us anymore like Grover Washington, Jr. and Charles Fambourgh. Omar was recognized at the Kimmel Center in 2012 for his percussionist professionalism. He also taught countless young engineers out of New Jersey and Philadelphia the ropes to making good crisp sound and the benefits of live instruments vs electronic sounds. Omar contributions to music, life, and family will be genuinely missed, but never forgotten.

On August 26,2021, Omar passed away at home surrounded by him family. His legacy will forever be remembered and cherished by all. We love you Rest in Heavenly Peace and Rest in Everlasting Paradise.

In addition to his father, Omar was predeceased by his wife, Diane Hill; grandmother, Ida “Granny” Austin; two sisters, Ida Theresa Lyons and Dorthea Turner; and a brother, Stephen Hill.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories: his mother, Eloise Brown; his children: Sakina Dean, Tanika Wilson (Jermaine Silvera), Omara Smith (Mike), Nia Griffin (Eliott), Ife Hill, Nubian Hill (Teddy Walker), and John Hill; 23 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Reginald Hill, Joan Hill-Reed; a sister-in-law, Carmen Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Poem:

Gods Garden

God looked around his garden

And He found an empty place

He then looked down upon this Earth,

and saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you and

Lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful.

He always takes the best.

He Knew that you were suffering,

He knew you were in pain.

He knew the you would never

Get well on earth again.

He Saw the road was getting rough,

And the hills were hard to climb,

So, He closed your weary eyelids.

And whispered "Peace be thine".

It Broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn't go alone,

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

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