This group began in Champaign Illinois in the mid-1990s as a straight-ahead jazz group featuring vibraphonist Kevin Hart, pianist Tim Green, bassist Tim Brickner, and drummer Jeff Magby. Hart's fascination with the Latin Jazz genre began as a graduate student in Iowa under the musical influence of Robert Washut, and eventually took form with this group. With the addition of Dan Llano on congas, the group began exploring the Latin jazz sounds of Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, and Clare Fisher, eventually leading the band to it's own unique sound, with fresh arrangements and originals.
Hart and his various groups have been performing fresh arrangements of classic, contemporary, Latin, and original jazz throughout Illinois since 1993. His groups have performed at numerous music festivals, concert series', and jazz venues throughout Illinois. Hart has also performed an unusually long-standing weekly gig with guitarist Mike Nellas at Panache in Peoria since 1997. Kevin's groups are often featured on Central Illinois jazz radio shows, and his Latin Jazz Quintet released Corazon in 1996.
An active vibraphonist, pianist, and drummer, Hart has performed and recorded with Bob Washut, Dave Hoffman, Jane Hartman, Brian Wilke, Dave Dreyer, Sam Crain, Champaign Underground, and the Illinois Jazz Orchestra. Other performances with Illinois jazz treasures include Ron Bridgewater, Don Heitler, John Scott, Jeff Helgesen, Rachael Lee, Gaile Thomas, Bobby Broom, Zach Broch, Orbert Davis, and Eric Schneider. In the last few years he has also performed on drums with Jack McDuff, Steve Turre, Henry Butler, Jerry Bergonzi, Terrell Stafford, Jeff Newell, and Rufus Reid.
As a college student Kevin had the unique experience of performing on stage with many inspiring jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Ed Thigpen, Bob Berg, Bobby Shew, Rufus Reid, and Louis Bellson. He is currently an instructor at Knox, Parkland, and Illinois Central Colleges.
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