Music Mondays: Kev Choice is the Man

Kev Choice with the band

Kev Choice with the band

Oakland’s very own Kev Choice is the personification of a true musician. Having graced the presence of the Bay Area music scene for many years, he is now setting forth to release his upcoming album “The Broken Mold” and has recently debuted his single “I don’t walk I fly,” which talks about perseverance and the struggle that accompanies acquiring success in the business of making music.

Kev began his career playing the keyboard for musicians such as Goapele, Too Short, Spearhead, Martin Luther and Lyrics Born. He also has worked with music greats such as Lauryn Hill and DJ Quik, but has now shifted his focus to directing his own group and releasing an album.

The Kev Choice Ensemble - with its namesake serving emcee and keyboardist - provides a beautiful infusion of soul, hip-hop, jazz and R&B. Kev Choice’s live performance embodies what real music is supposed to look, sound and feel like.

Kev Choice is continually involved with fellow Bay Area artists and his latest production credit goes to the release of the new Bay “anthem” entitled “Bay Area” by Oakland rap artist Dolla Will, which features fellow Oakland natives Too Short and Clyde Carson.Here, Kev Choice shows his versatility from band direction and performing live to what he can do as a producer in the studio. Kev Choice is heavily supported in the Bay and is continually recognized for his musical abilities. He was named the "Most Multi-Talented Musician" by the EastBay Express and has been nominated for a SF Weekly Music Award in the Soul/RB/Funk category.

Kev Choice also has made an important contribution to the Public Service Announcement campaign entitled “Imagine Peace,” where Bay Area activists and spoken-word artists released unscripted video performances interpreting each artist’s vision for peace in their community.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, check out Kev Choice live on stage as soon as you possibly can. For more information on him, his ensemble, new music and their upcoming performances, check out his website, contact him via Facebook, check out his MySpace page and follow him on Twitter.

Kev Choice videos

"Imagine Peace" (Public Service Announcement)

"Bay Area" by Dolla Will ft. Too Short and Clyde Carson (produced by Kev Choice)

My DeVerteuil is in the Infant Mental Health Masters Program and was a Journalism Minor at Mills College in Oakland. She grew up in the Bay Area and loves to sing, read, write, and listen to timeless music. She was a Spring 2010 intern at Oakland Local and continues to contribute to the site.