We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Bales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was very lucky to have several mentors who taught me to think about my work as a musician as a “building a business.” Bassist Ben Tucker in particular provided a lot of insights: having a plan, investing, saving, planning for retirement were all things that I had not thought about and proven to make a big differance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
By some measures, Kevin Bales was a latecomer to jazz, already 17 when he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. But if late to the party, he wasted no time in immersing himself in the celebration, declaring total commitment to what would be his life’s work and backing his announcement by resigning his job and designated career in computer programming. Kevin could commit to jazz with a reasonable degree of expectation. He was already an accomplished pianist, with classical chops refined since the age of 10. So accomplished he was invited to audition for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of its most storied conductor Robert Shaw, at age 16.

Kevin’s initial career move was to the University of North Florida and a budding if little-known jazz program. There he met and performed with, and went on to record and tour with, a number of monumental artists who had settled into that burgeoning North Florida jazz scene. Giants like Wynton Marsalis, Louie Bellson, Eddie Daniels, James Moody, Ben Tucker, Ira Sullivan, Sam Rivers, and Nat Adderley. He counts among his mentors bassist Ben Tucker, multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, guitar legends Nathen Page and Jack Petersen, and the fiercely individual saxophonist Bunky Green. His meeting with Bunky Green led to five years of tours. His encounter with guitarist Nathen Page blossomed into 15 years of spot tours and four albums. And his work with trumpeter extraordinaire Marcus Printup has become a lifetime association that has included recordings on Blue Note/Capital records. Ten years touring and recording with vocal iconoclast Rene Marie culminated in a Grammy Nominated album. His most recent recording of music composed by Fred Rogers was selected as one of the top 10 albums of 2018 by Cadence Magazine and AllAboutJazz.com

Few artists have the patience for teaching – as are few teachers accomplished players. But Kevin has amassed a reputation for his prowess in both professions. While still a senior at North Florida he was drafted into a full teaching load, and continued to be an integral part of the school’s jazz program for upwards of a decade. Today, Kevin manages his own jazz program, overseeing an ambitious schedule of ambitious jazz students and runs the improvisation and small group programs at Georgia State University.

Kevin has amassed a long list of awards and a reputation as one of the finest jazz pianists performing anywhere. In 1994, less than a decade into jazz, he won the American Pianist Association’s Jazz Piano Competition. In addition to nearly every important jazz venue in the South, he has performed in some of the most acclaimed clubs and festivals in America and around the world: the JVC Jazz Festival in New York, The Bakery in Los Angeles, The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center jazz series, the Toronto and Edinburgh jazz festivals, and the Moscow Center for the Performing Arts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Jazz Jam session at the Red Light Cafe, every Wednesday night 9pm to midnight

Ford’s BBQ in Tucker (best BBQ in the city, and amazing staff)

The Northside Lounge – incredible dive bar with some of the best musicians in the south. Always a memorable experience

TenATL in East Atlanta – Monday night jam sessions with some of the best musicians in the world

Eddies Attic in Decatur – John Mayer started hear and has some of the best singer-songwriters in the world

Theatrical Outfit – Balzer Theater in downtown Atlanta: world-class plays and music events

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The music community in Atlanta and at large: Neal Starkey, Rick Bell, Gordon Vernick, Joe Gransden, Louis Heriveaux, Tyrone Jackson, Kenny Banks (Jr and Senior), Gary Motley, Sam Yi, Craig Shaw, Kevin Smith, Audrey Shakir, Tia Rix, Chris Burroughs, David Potter, Tamara Fuller, and so many others.

Sam Yi has been an important part of the Atlanta Jazz community supporting musicians through his own venues and events.
Dr. Gordon Vernick and the Rialto Jazz program reach young musicians throughout our region.

Website: https://kevinbales.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad.forest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KBalesMusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kevinbales5872

Other: https://www.beyondtheneighborhood.com/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.