Kev Choice shows a glimpse into the current reality of eerily empty streets of some of Downtown Oakland’s busiest blocks as he spits his verse from the song “Silver Lining”
Kev Choice Silver Lining Promo from album “Social Distancing
Silver Lining feat. Mistah F.A.B., Kevin Allen, Brookfield Deuce, Mani Draper Video
shot, directed, edited by Tony Vic
Sharp Choice Records 2020
Kev Choice and his new album “Social Distancing” was recently featured in SF Chronicle! Check out the article online and in the April 30th edition of the Chronicle.
Kev Choice shifts gears as the world does, releases ‘Social Distancing’ album
Kev Choice-Take me To Your Leader
Kev Choice-Piano, Vocal
Keith Snodgrass- Acoustic Bass
Kev Choice and bassist Ketih Snodgrass recently did a stripped down version of “Take Me To Your Leaders” from his album “Social Distancing” as a submission to NPR’s “Tiny Desk” contest.
“This song was written to express my sentiments around how the leadership of our country has in many ways failed us during this Covid-19 crisis. .I imagined what would happen if aliens came from another planet and ask to be taken to our leaders. What would they say? I also to express many of my anxieties, thoughts, and concerns, around shelter in place and how it’s effecting my daily life.”
As feelings of fear and anxiety overcome our society dealing with the new normals, effects of COVID-19, and “sheltering in place”, Kev Choice processes isolation while seeking ways to overcome the stress of being quarantined, the dramatic effects on the faltering economy, and social distancing from community, family, and in relationships.
“Dedicated to those in community finding themselves struggling in various ways during this time, those who are out helping others in need, those at home taking care of there families, those feeling alone, those in the hospitals taking care of the sick, those finding new ways to love themselves and connect with loved ones, those missing their loved ones, the creators, the artist, those seeking inspiration, the businesses owners, those who’ve lost their jobs, the youth who miss school and friends, all of us. Let us find ways to connect, inspire, and know we will persevere, together, as a society. Have faith. No worries. We are guided by the angels from high up above, now we can be as close as we never was, pray to God to protect us from whatever comes. No worries.”-Kev
No Worries (Official Video)
Shot and Directed by – Lauren Richardson
Produced by- Kev Choice
feat. Nikita Jew
No Worries –
written, produced by Kev Choice
Bass- Clark Sims
Guitar- Andrew Levin
Mixed by Eugene Smith
Mastered by Michael Denten
SharpChoice Records 2020
Album “Social Distancing” coming soon
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Kev Choice and his new band B L A C K L O N D O N will be performing live at Oakland’s New Parrish on 4/10! They’ll be debuting new music from their EP “BLACK MAGIC” and Kev will be performing new music form a NEW EP AS WELL! Tix available now. MORE INFO BELOW!
https://www.thenewparish.com/e/b-l-a-c-k-l-o-n-d-o-n-kev-choice-95495141539/
“B L A C K L O N D O N” Is a fresh new band and collective of Bay Area musicians, artists, and band-leaders, feat. keyboardist/M.C./Producer Kev Choice, keyboardist/producer Mike Blankenship, and saxophonist/composer Howard Wiley, pushing excellence, preservation, and progression of black music and culture through performance, recordings, and collaboration. B L A C K L O N D O N is creating a sound that combines elements of hip-hop, jazz, funk, and soul in combination with all of their unique talents including Choice spitting raps and classical infused piano, Wiley’s virtuoso jazz chops, and Blankenship’s strong synth, keyboard, and arrangement skills.
Choice and Wiley met as pre-teenagers at UC Berkeley’s Young Musician’s Program, and later met Blankenship as he became an in-demand keyboard player on the Bay Area music scene. They built a special bond in 2007 as members of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s band. that Choice was musical director of, and each played an integral role in as they toured over 15 countries in a one year time span. They have collaborated on numerous projects and performances ever since.
All 3 have established themselves as band leaders in the Bay Area, Blankenship with “Spooky Fox”, Wiley with “Extra Nappy” and Choice with “Kev Choice Ensemble”. Each has also released individual projects that have solidified their careers, Choice with 4 albums including the acclaimed “Oakland Riviera” and his instrumental project “88 Steps To Eternity, Blankenship with his “Living For The Future, and Wiley with his “The Angola Project”.
Choice has toured with Michael Franti and Spearhead, Goapele, Zion I, LyricsBorn, The Coup, Too Short, and composed a Hip-Hop/Jazz/Classical piece for the Oakland Symphony. Blankenship has worked with the likes of Sheila E., Ledisi, Michael Franti and Spearhead, while Wiley has worked with The West Coast Get Down with Kamasi Washington, Miles Moseley, and Terrace Martin, as well as Doug Carne and Chester Thompson.
The group will be debuting music from their new release “BLACK MAGIC” that features music in tribute to the 20th anniversary of D’Angelo’s integral “Voodoo” album as well as brand new original material. The band features local all-stars Dame Drummer(Fantastic Negrito, Zion I, Dam-Funk) on drums, Marcus Phillips(Goapele, Jennifer Hudson), and special guest.
Kev Choice’s new video “Countin’ Blessings” premiered on http://www.jazziz.com on 1/6/20. The video was shoot in Los Angeles by talented videographer/photographer Slaucienega. Check it out now!
Article: https://www.jazziz.com/new-music-monday-john-mclaughlin-kev-choice-wayne-shorter-more/
Kev Choice returns to Yoshi’s Oakland January 24th for two exciting new shows!! the 8pm set will feature Kev Choice Trio and special guest performing new music Kev has been working on featuring some amazing collaborations. The 10pm set will feature an exciting new band BLACK LONDON featuring Kev Choice, Mike Blankenship, Howard Wiley doing a tribute to D’Angelo’s classic album “Voodoo” with all-star band and guest vocalist. Come see both shows for a special 2-show package or check out either show individually. Going to be an amazing night of new music!!!
2 show package- Kev Choice Trio 8pm ; Black London 10pm https://www.yoshis.com/e/kev-choice-show-package-82019270847/
Kev Choice Trio + Special Guest 8pm https://www.yoshis.com/e/kev-choice-trio-special-guest-79821727937/
Black London 10pm https://www.yoshis.com/e/black-london-feat-kev-choice-howard-wiley-mike-blankenship-79835777961/
Kev Choice was featured in the December 18th Edition of the East Bay Express highlighting his recent work on Kola: An Afro Diasporic Remix of The Nutcracker. The article also talks about Kev Choice’s intriguing career journey and also what he is working on in the coming year. Check it out!
Kev Choice will be a featured guest with Oaktown Jazz Workshop on November 12th at Yoshi’s Oakland. This show will benefit the youth jazz organization that Kev spent years teaching and working with. This incredible organization that encourages artistic development among youth from across the Bay Area. Kev will be performing a couple original songs with the jazz ensemble and there will be a host of incredible artist and guest as well. Come out and support!
Yoshis Oakland
November 12th
8pm
