Some crazy weirdness went down at Yoshi's in Oakland last Monday, and
38th Notes is here to tell you about this rare night:
Last Monday night (9/26) Yoshis was
packed as usual for its 8pm show. The proceedings on stage however,
were a bit different than most evenings. That’s because the band on
stage was playing hip-hop in one of the west coast’s most hallowed jazz
clubs. Oakland's own 10-piece Kev Choice Ensemble rocked Yoshis with a
fusion of hip-hop, funk and jazz, that carried a big stick and a wide
appeal.
Kev Choice is a
gifted emcee with bravado to spare, but his training is in classical
and jazz piano. As a result, the Skyline grad and his über-talented
ensemble crank out some stereotype-defying hip-hop worthy of a little
high-art acclaim. I even had my parents in the building jamming,
because such a fusion also tends to mix crowds, and that is such an
important legacy in Oakland.
Kev,
took us through some of his staples, a few new works and even an
extended homage to jazz greats like Bud Powell, entitled “Black Music
Extinction.” One of those new tracks is called "These Words," a tribute
to his relationship with God and music, and it is available for
download below.
Get that music for free, then head bop at your desk, at 38th Notes.
