Kev Choice belongs in the company of performers who dispel clichéd notions of isolated artists working in ivory towers.
Presented by Stanford Live for a one-night gig Jan. 24 in The Studio, an underground space designed for intimacy and flexible seating, the Oakland-based pianist, emcee, composer, educator and bandleader appears with a wide-ranging program and the current iteration of his trio.
The program, Choice says in an interview, is planned with deliberate intention to play “music inspired by the past, informed by the present, and pushing toward the future.” His three top priorities? Arranging a set list that showcases his multiple, individual talents; highlights the collective sound of the trio; and ensures the audience is engaged, entertained, and inspired by the trio’s diverse technical skills and the specific artistic consciousness he brings to his work as an artist.
“At the end of the day, I’m just trying to create a moment of connection, a release, a journey, and an experience people won’t forget,” he says.
Choice’s vast-ranging musical skills leave room for accidentally “forgetting” one genre or another. A classically trained pianist with master’s degrees in jazz, he grew up during the era of hip-hop. There is music of the Black Diaspora—jazz, R&B, soul, funk. On his website and in interviews, he mentions as major influencers a broad cast: Chopin, Ravel, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, A Tribe Called Quest and more. His ear and musical leanings might seem highly attuned to form, but there’s no denying his heart’s desire leans full tilt toward adventure, risk, and consistently venturing into unknown territory.
“The show will feature me on piano, synths, and vocals, John ‘Omayga’ Adams on drums, and Lily Stern on upright and acoustic bass. John Adams is a versatile drummer from Richmond, California, who I’ve played with for many years. He has a great feel for jazz, hip hop and R&B styles. I love that he is creative in his playing and keeps the band solid rhythmically but also on edge with unpredictable and unique groove interpretations and feels. Lily Stern is a young, up-and-coming bassist I’ve recently started working with. She just graduated from the New School of Music in New York. She brings a new, fresh perspective and incredible talent, having studied jazz, Afro-Cuban music, classical, timba, funk, and more.”
The show will include Choice’s original music; songs with lyrics that fuse jazz with hip-hop, as well as jazz standards, R&B/soul covers and hip hop instrumental pieces. Because he will have a grand piano, Choice plans to incorporate classical music into the format. On a personal level, he will continue to present himself in his role as a community activist and artist and as a musician who is honest, transparent, authentic. Which doesn’t mean he seeks to be static or predictable.
Asked to speak about what is true of his work today that might not have been true ten years ago, Choice says, “I feel like the difference between my work now and ten years ago is the perspective. Ten years ago, I was very much focused on making music that was a reflection of my community and the issues and challenges I saw impacting those around me. Now, I’m being more open to telling my own personal story, journey, struggles. I’m more intentional in the process now. I used to just sit around and write, compose, or make music with no specific agenda, but now everything seems to have more of a purpose. Which is good and bad in some ways.”
The last statement is intriguing, a signature element in the conversation that resides equally in the mysterious and complex diversity found in his work. The ways in which it is a positive element to have the skill sets that encompass his creative activities pool into purposefulness seems obvious. Which leads to another question: How is purposefulness bad? Perhaps the answer can be found in the dreams and self-expectations Choice has lived with and continues to revere as he looks to the future?
“I want my work to continue to grow and evolve in order to expand my audience and to touch as many people as possible, but I also want to remember what got me to where I am and have been, which is a deep connection and passion for music. My dream is to be one of the biggest musicians in the world and leave a legacy to inspire people for generations to come.”
The pressure-filled statements could amount to anxiety or result in creative paralysis in another artist. Again, knowledge gained from decades of experience and successful collaborations with other artists provide affirmation and instill Choice with vital courage and confidence. “There will always be challenges, but my greatest joy is sitting at my instrument, practicing, being in the studio creating, composing, making songs, playing and collaborating with other great musicians and artists. If I focus on that, the rest will fall into place.”
Kev Choice Trio plays at 7pm on Jan 24 at The Studio, Stanford University. Tickets: $15/$45. live.stanford.edu.
