Biography 

Kevin began drumming when he was nine years old.  His rhythmic journey in music began by banging on pots and pans, inspired by alternative rock bands of the 1990’s such as Soundgarden, Silverchair and Nirvana.  He then graduated to the snare drum and began studying classical percussion in elementary school.  A year later, during the summer of 1995, he spent two weeks at the local summer music camp learning drum set and playing in a big band.  The musical director then told his mother it was essential she buy him a drum kit.  So she did.  The next week, he had a drum kit and the rest is history.  Growing up in Mission B.C, he spent his elementary and secondary school years studying various styles of drumming with local teachers Eran Vooys (Matthew Good, Vineyard Music, Angie Stogsdill, Strangely Dim) and Blaine Wikjord (Hugh Fraser, Lance Harrison, Fraser MacPherson).  Musical tasted then evolved towards more creative and challenging music such as jazz, funk, fusion and progressive rock.  Performances at the Banff Center’s Rocky Mountain Festival as well numerous performances with his own local punk rock band inspired Kevin to then further his music studies at the Langley Fine Arts School in Fort Langley B.C., where he earned his high school diploma.  While at LFAS, Kevin was chosen to perform in the Envision Jazz Festival’s All-Star Big Band, under the direction of Mr. Fred Stride.  From there it was off to Montreal where he would earn a B.Mus in Jazz Performance from McGill University. 

It was during his 5 years at McGill that music evolved from something fun into a full-time profession.  While at McGill, Kevin had the great opportunity to study with Gordon Foote, Jan Jarczyk, Andre White, Fraser Hollins, Dave Laing, Chris McCann and many others.  Kevin performed with the McGill Jazz Orchestra 1 for 2 years, under the direction of Prof. Gordon Foote.  This ensemble worked with numerous jazz legends including Slide Hampton, George Garzone, Ralph Bowen and Juno winner Ranee Lee.  In 2006, Kevin was chosen to take part in a three-week residency at the International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music in Banff, Alberta.  There he studied with Dave Douglas, Donny McCaslin, Clarence Penn, Scott Colley, Gene Lake, Gerald Cleaver, Greg Osby and many other great faculty members.

2010 was a breathrough year in terms of international touring opportunities.  Tours in Poland and Portugal in the Winter of 2010 with Jacques Kuba Seguin's band "Oddlot" marked Kevin's first European tour experience.  He has since travelled to France alongside the Montreal afrobeat ensemble "Afrodizz" and Switzerland with singer Caroline D’été.  The fall of 2010 had Kevin in Europe with crossover classical/jazz pianist Matt Herskowitz, classical star Lara St John, and singer Theresa Tova, performing in Germany and Poland, once again.  A November 2010 tour to France, Italy and Belgium with the Rafael Zaldivar Trio marked the trio’s establishment as rising Canadian Jazz artists.  In 2011, Kevin was awarded the TD Grand Jazz Award at the 2011 Montreal International Jazz Festival as a member of the Alexandre Côté quintet.  He also took part in the 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards with Ladies of the Canyon, who were nominated for the Rising Star Award.

Kevin continues to tour throughout Canada and abroad performing in a variety of styles of music.  He currently keeps a busy schedule in Montreal as a sideman for groups including Ladies of the Canyon, The Rafael Zaldivar Trio, Matt Herskowitz, The ODDLOT, Alexandre Côté Quintet, GrooveAttic, Lulu Hughes, Caroline D’été, Jean-Nicolas Trottier Big Band and Julie Hamelin .  He has also been seen as a sideman with Francine Raymond, Josh Rager, Fraser Hollins, Taurey Butler, Coral Egan, Julie Lamontagne, Vic Vogel Big Band, Julie Hamelin, Streetnix, Theresa Tova, Sophie Lapierre, and Julie Salvador.  

Album credits 

From 2003 to present:

Alexandre Coté - “Transitions” – Effendi Records

Ladies of the Canyon - "Haunted Woman" – Kindling Music/Warner

Caroline D’été - “Comme Un Arbre” – Virgule 2

Julie Salvador - “Les Bonheurs Éphémères” – Le Piano En Cavale

Rafael Zaldivar Trio - "Life Directions" – Effendi Records

Lulu Hughes and The Montreal All City Big Band – Star Productions

Groove Attic – “Like a Tree” - independent

The Thundertones – “Out of Time” - independent

Jean-Nicolas Trottier Big Band – “Jean-Nicolas Trottier Big Band”

 

Kokoro – “Inspiration Flow”

 

Devin Arne – “Songs of the North and There and Back”