Biography

Kev Choice is a pianist, MC, composer, producer, bandleader, and educator from Oakland. He began studying piano at age 11 and played in classical and jazz ensembles at the UC Berkeley Young Musicians Program and Skyline High School in Oakland. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University, both in piano. Mr. Choice has worked with such artist as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ledisi, Goapele, Zion I, and served as musical director for Lauryn Hill. He leads a jazz–hip-hop–funk big band, the Kev Choice Ensemble, in addition to producing, performing, and releasing his own material. He made his San Francisco Symphony debut with a Currents video in 2020, featuring his original composition Movements, which was later released on an SFS Media recording. He is currently a cultural affairs commissioner and cultural strategist with the city of Oakland.

September 2023