Here is Episode 2 of “The Choice Files” were Kev Choice interviews symphony arranger Jason Eckl. They talk about the process of getting Kev’s ideas to be played by the Oakland Symphony. His work, “Soul Restoration Suite” will premier March 23rd at The Paramount Theater in Oakland!
Check Out Kev Choice new series “The Choice Files”, a behind the scene’s look at his preparation and process of writing and composing an original work to be played by the Oakland Symphony on March 23rd at The Paramount Theater.
Kev Choice has some exciting shows coming up in the month of December!
Dec. 1st-Jack London Tree Lighting-Jack London Square-Oakland, CA 5-7pm
Dec. 2nd-Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Holiday Concert-Paramount Theater-Oakland, CA 7pm
Dec. 9th-SFJAZZ-Kev Choice Trio-San Francisco, CA 7pm & 8:30pm
Come check out any or all of these great performances by Kev Choice!
Kev Choice Trio
December 9th
SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin ST., San Francisco
7pm & 8:30pm
$25
The only reason Kev Choice isn’t better known on the West Coast jazz scene is that he’s spent much of the past two decades immersed in hip hop and R&B. But make so mistake, the Oakland-reared pianist is a highly trained improviser with deep insights into the jazz tradition. In his trio, he draws on his love of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Mulgrew Miller, and Robert Glasper, exploring his multifarious original compositions and arrangements of classic hip-hop, jazz, and soul material.
His fourth solo album and first project focusing on his instrumentals, 2016’s 88 Steps to Eternity, brought his improvisational prowess to the foreground. Choice is also a producer and in-demand sideman who’s toured and recorded with Michael Franti and Spearhead, Lyrics Born, Too $hort, Ledisi and fellow Skyline High grad Goapele. In 2007, Lauryn Hill recruited him as music director, and he spent 18 months touring internationally with her. More recently he’s collaborated with The Coup, Dwele, Martin Luther, and Amel Larrieux. As a leader, he’s performed widely with the Kev Choice Ensemble, his jazz-hip-hop-funk big band, but the trio offers the most unmediated experience of an artist expanding the possibilities of African-American music.
Kev Choice Ensemble will be performing live today at Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco, opening for the legendary vocalist Mavis Staples! This is a free concert and usually draws thousands and thousands of people to watch great shows in this amazing outside venue. Come out and support!!
Mavis Staples
Kev Choice Ensemble
Show starts at 2pm
Stern Grove-Sigmund Stern Grove Park-19th & Sloat-San Francisco
Kev Choice will be performing at to exquisite events today!
3-4pm Kev Choice Trio “A Tribute to Jazz Piano Master’s-Swan’s Marketplace-Oakland- 9th &Clay: “Kev Choice trio will be performing music of jazz piano masters Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell, McCoy Tyner, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, and more!
7-9pm Special guest with Jennifer Johns live at Oakland Center For Spiritual Living: Performing inspirational and inspiring music from the catalogue of Jennifer Johns and many power influences!
Come check out some amazing and powerful music!
Kev Choice Ensemble is excited to be a part of an incredible lineup in tribute to Miles Davis “Bitches Brew” presented by UnderCover & SFJAZZ on August 19th, 7pm-10pm. Kev Choice will be putting his unique hip hop, soul, R&B, infused jazz spin on the 3rd side of the album featuring the songs “Spanish Key” and “John McLaughlin”.
THE LINEUP
Side 1 – Broun Fellinis
Side 2 – Pc Muñoz
Side 3 – Kev Choice
Side 4 – Alligator Spacewalk
Though it was not his first foray into electric fusion, Miles Davis’ 1970 album Bitches Brew hit the jazz world like a bolt of lightning. The revolutionary rock-influenced sound, electric instrumentation, and production techniques (including tape-splicing and looping) were both groundbreaking and immensely controversial. Selling over half a million copies, it was undoubtedly a phenomenon, sparking an age of experimentation in jazz. The fearless spirit of Davis’ work drives daring new interpretations by Broun Fellinis, PC Muñoz, Kev Choice, and Alligator Spacewalk. Each group will re-imagine one side of the double-disk album.
_______________
The Summer Series
Over four nights this Summer at SFJAZZ, UnderCover Presents pays tribute to two legendary artists, one landmark album, and a seminal studio band. Each unique night, showcases 4 different Bay Area ensembles as they present bold reinterpretations of this iconic music.
For Tix and more info! https://sfjazz.org/events/sessions/2017/bitches-brew
Kev Choice Ensemble returns to one of Oakland’s premier venues for live music, Yoshi’s, June 30th for two shows, 8pm & 10pm. Kev will be performing a wide array of music showcasing his signature blend of live hip-hop, jazz, R&B, soul, classical, and more. Kev always debuts new material at Yoshi’s and always has an impressive lineup of special guest as well as his powerhouse band!
Tickets available now at http://www.yoshis.com
In his new video, “Morning Star”, Kev Choice shares his sentiments and amazing experience after visiting Palestine on an impactful and powerful tour with artist Aisha Fukishima and band members Uriah Duffy and Dame Drummer. The song was written and produced in the Jerusalem Hotel, in East Jerusalem, on the last day of his trip throughout the West Bank. The video was shot by Kev on his iPhone as he walked through East Jerusalem, The Old City, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Neblus, and Jericho. The tour was centered around doing youth workshops and exchanges with local musicians. Kev dedicated the video and song to the children he encountered on the trip who left on longing impression sharing their gifts, talents, hospitality, and appreciation for the bands visit. “I wanted to let them know that they have to keep shining and pushing because they have talents and stories that the worlds needs to see and hear, that we aren’t hearing as of now.”
You can Download the song at:
https://kevchoice.bandcamp.com/track/…
https://soundcloud.com/kevchoice/morn…
Kev Choice will be bringing new music, new vibes, new energy, and some new friends rocking at one of Oakland’s dopest spots for live shows!!
March 18th
Kev Choice Ensemble
Tree Thomas
Mani Draper + Brave Area
+Special Guest
Starline Social Club-2236 Martin Luther King Jr. Way., Oakland, CA
