THE KEVIN OLIVER, JR. GROUP

Kevin Oliver, Jr.

Born in Atlanta, Kevin Oliver, Jr, is just a kid with a horn and something to say. He is a saxophonist and stand-up comedian currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Juilliard School. Kevin started performing at the age of 11. He started off busking in downtown Atlanta at sporting events, parks and street corners eager to share his gift with the world. He was inspired to keep playing by the happiness that he saw on the faces of people who stopped to listen and meet him. 

Kevin was a part of the inaugural year of NYO Jazz directed by Sean Jones and played concerts at Carnegie Hall and across Europe alongside Dianne Reeves and a big band of some of the brightest young musicians around the country. He was also selected as a YoungArts Finalist for 2019. He was cast as “Crying Man 1” in the Comedy Central sketch “What the World is Like When Your Phone Dies”.

Kevin recently released his debut double EP Prelude. This is his first recording project that combines music and stand-up comedy. The EP has two sides. Side A is “The Mixtape” which Kevin describes as a “collage with an overarching story”. Side B is “Live From My Parents Living Room” which is a half hour comedy special recorded for his family and a handful of friends in his parents' house.

Kevin has been inspired by his heroes Cécile McLorin Salvant, Charlie Parker, Dave Chappelle, and Donald Glover. He was inspired by how each of these artists played music or told jokes in a way that was not only entertaining, but refined and artful. Kevin is inspired specifically by Donald Glover and wants to dismantle the idea that performers can’t be great in multiple areas. His sound was inspired by old playbills that had acts like Miles Davis and John Coltrane on a double bill with comedians like Richard Pryor.

His goal is to cultivate meaningful engagement with art in the american comedic and musical traditions.  By writing and performing, he aspires teach people about american art traditions and make them laugh, cry, bop along and sing their little hearts out all while inspiring them to continue to lead meaningful lives; there is certainly meaning to life. 

www.kevinoliverjr.com

The Band:

Joshua Williams, bass and tuba

Hailing from Atlanta, Joshua Williams is one of New York's bright young developing musicians. Joshua Williams began playing tuba at the age of 11 and shortly after picked up the bass. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has been recognized nationally and internationally for his musical talents. Joshua was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program from 2014-2018. Under the direction of ASO principal tubist Michael Moore, Joshua became a National Young Arts Finalist, performed the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto with the Georgia Symphony, and was a finalist in the Presidents Own Marine Band Concerto Competition. Currently, Joshua is a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship at The Juilliard School where he studies with Alan Baer.

Daniel Berenfield, piano

Daniel Berenfield is a pianist from Durham North Carolina who now attends the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Marc Cary.

Domo Branch, drums and cymbals

Domo Branch Drummer from Portland, Oregon. Attending Manhattan School of Music studying Jazz Percussion. He is a student of Kendrick Scott. He Performs around the US and has toured in Europe multiple time. He has performed with musicians like Wynton Marsalis, and Dianne Reeves. He has also done work with students giving clinics, motivational speaking, public speaking.

Mwanzi Harriott, guitar

Mwanzi Harriott is a Guitarist, Composer, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Bandleader from the Atlanta area. While growing up, he honed his skills in his school orchestra and jazz band and studied in youth programs geared towards teaching jazz music like the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra . Moving to Boston in 2018, Mwanzi is in the process of earning his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance at Berklee College Of Music (studying with high-class musicians such as pianist Kris Davis and drummer Neal Smith) while simultaneously establishing himself as a top call local musician, playing weekly at Wally’s Jazz Cafe and participating in performances with the likes of Terri Lyne Carrington and Dee Dee Bridgewater to name a few. Mwanzi’s mission objective is to heal as many people through his music and uplift souls who are weary.

Amplified Currents Fall 2020
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