BIO
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Kevin began playing guitar at the age of 9. He was trained as a jazz guitarist but spent a lot of time playing in funk bands early on. At the age of 16, Kevin was introduced to the professional scene by jazz great Hank Marr when he joined Hank’s jazz organ trio. Hank was Kevin’s music teacher at the performing arts high school where he attended. Quickly becoming known throughout his hometown for his consummate skills on both guitar and bass, Kevin soon found success on the national stage when he served as a sideman for the legendary Ray Charles in 1984. His soulful guitar solo on Ray Charles’ “Winter Wonderland” can still be heard each Christmas season throughout the world. Further, over the years, Kevin has either performed, recorded, or toured alongside a number of artists including Kirk Whalum, Charles Earland, Jimmy Smith, George Howard, Diane Schuur, Destiny’s Child, The Winans, Oleta Adams, Dr. John, and Lalah Hathaway.
Stepping from behind the scenes in 2005, Kevin began his transition from sideman to frontman with his first project- a jazz cd of hymns entitled HIM. This project generated much attention and critical acclaim in the music industry with Kevin receiving a Stellar Award nomination.
Besides being a performer, Kevin is a writer, producer, and educator. He has owned a private recording studio for nearly 15 years. Kevin co-wrote (with his wife Cynthia Turner) and produced two projects by the national recording gospel ensemble Cynthia Turner and Heartspeak. This award-winning group performed across the country in the 2000s and was featured on BET’s "Bobby Jones Gospel Show."
Kevin holds an undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. Moreover, for nearly 30 years, Kevin has been a music educator. On the college level, Kevin serves as an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the jazz department at the Ohio State University. Further, he has taught elementary, middle and high school orchestra.
Kevin presently tours and records with Grammy award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum. His artistry is most recently featured on Kirk Whalum's album Humanite, Romance Language and album/live DVD Gospel According to Jazz Chapter IV. He also currently performs locally with his trio, Springfield Jazz Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Pops Orchestra. Further, Kevin has served as one of the guitarists on the Smooth Jazz Cruise since 2020. Kevin is married to wife Cynthia and is the father of three.