Performer
Kevin is an in-demand & multi-award-winning pianist,
arranger, and educator from the Bay Area, playing jazz,
Afro-Cuban jazz, and salsa, (as well as for rock n' roll,
classic rock, soul, funk, top 40, and more). He's been
playing piano for 40+ years (and drums for 20+). Kevin is
availale for hire as a performer, arranger/composer, and clinician.
Kevin plays solo piano, in duos, trios, quartets, and other various groups for countless restaurants, hotels, weddings, wineries, music festivals, cruise ships (Princess and P&O UK lines), speakeasy and Gatsby-themed parties, and many other events and venues! He has shared the stage with many great musicians, some of whom are Grammy winners and/or nominees!
Kevin has had the honor of playing at the Monterey Jazz Festival
(2017 & 2023 to a standing ovation from a full-house with the Latin Jazz Collective w/John Nava (with whom he is the musical director and arranger for) and again in 2025 with the
Marcie Chapa Project! He has also played the Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival (2021 and 2022), and has graced many other festivals and other stages all over California!
As a music educator,
Kevin was a recipient of the 2024 Arts Leadership Award from Santa Clara County. He has given college master classes on Afro-Cuban jazz and arranging at various schools, including CSUMB, taught at various jazz camps (including NMCUSD Jazz Camp along with members of Beyonce's original band in 2019), San Jose Jazz Summer Camp, and more. He currently teaches elementary school music for the Oak Grove School District, where we was a 2020-2021 recipient of the Innovative Spirit Award and a 2021-2022 recipient of the OGSD Vision Award.
Kevin is also the NorCal Product Specialist for Casio Musical Instruments.
He has given piano clinics for Casio at various music stores, and presented
Educator & Clinician
Educational background
Kevin holds a B.A. in jazz (piano) studies, a B.M. in music education, and CA teaching credential. He went to San Jose State University where he studied piano with the late, legendary Frank Sumares. He also attributes much of his musical education to John Shifflett, Wayne Wallace (whom he studied arranging with), Dr. Aaron Lington, Dr. Dan Wyman, and Grammy-nominated Cuban percussionist, Bosco "El Gitano."
Kevin's current regular endeavors are
The Latin Jazz Collective w/ John Nava (piano/musical director/arranger)
Micaela Stites and the Soft Lights (piano/keyboards/vocals)
The Moonraker 7 (pianist/arranger/leader)
The Marcie Chapa Project (piano/keyboards)
The Kaye Bohler Band (pianist/organist)
The Etta James Experience (pianist/organist)