Kevin Stevenson: Drummer, Composer and Producer


Kevin Stevenson was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His earliest musical influences were his father, a jazz singer and his uncle, Leon, a well-known jazz drummer on the Cleveland music scene. At a young age, Kevin played clarinet in junior high and took drum lessons from his uncle. "I remember as a kid watching my uncle play as I sometimes stood watching from outside the club. As the drummer, he sat right near the window and he would look at me and smile while playing. Man, it was right then and there I knew I wanted to play the drums!"

In high school, he sang in the All City Choir and pursued drumming while attending the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Kevin developed his writing skills by listening to many styles of music and although he is not a bona fide piano player, he uses the piano to structure ideas.

While playing with various local groups in Cleveland, he decided to relocate to New York City in May 1979. It was here that Kevin continued studying with Michael Carvin and Jim Payne. Since then he has worked with Cecil Bridgewater, Alvin Slaughter, Mark Ledford, The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra and in various Broadway and off-Broadway productions. He has also played with the Grammy Award Winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and Noel Pointer.

In 1985, Kevin met keyboardist, Jerry Hutchinson at a studio session. "I was immediately blown away hearing the chords that Jerry played. In the music I could feel what he was feeling." After many years of playing together, they began writing and producing as a team.

Kevin and Jerry along with contributions from other musicians and have written and produced the self-titled smooth jazz CD "All-For-7". "When we got together I really didn't know what direction our vision of contemporary jazz could produce. Could we create a collage of musical styles i.e. hip-hop, r&b, along with the sounds we heard when we were growing up? After cutting "A Walk In Paradise" and Outta Your Hands, we knew we had a foundation to build upon."

In addition they have started a new record label called HipoHash Music, with CD's from other artists soon to be released.




Jerry Hutchinson: Keyboardist, Composer and Producer


Jerry was born in New York City and grew up in the Bronx. When he moved to Mt. Vernon, NY one evening there was a knock at the door and he found himself face-to-face with actor/director Denzel Washington. It was that night Jerry realized he was living in the same house Denzel grew up in and afterwards,there were two more visits from Denzel.

Since the early age of 7 years old, Jerry learned to play the piano from his father, a multi instrumentalist.
As a child Jerry recalls, "I really had no interest in playing the piano; in fact, I hated it. But my father must have seen past that and strictly continued giving me lessons. After a few months, however, I decided to stick with playing it and until this day, I do not regret it. I thank my father every day for instilling me the determination to stick with it and not to quit."

From grade school through senior high, he continued to pursue music and took private lessons with a core of influential teachers. His eventual first love of "playing" music found a soul mate in "singing" music and for 12 years Jerry sang with the famed Boy's Choir of Harlem.

After graduation, he attended Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama singing baritone with a campus vocal group called "Alliance" which is presently known world-wide as "Take 6".

In 1985, Jerry came back to New York and began working as a studio musician. It was here he met drummer, Kevin Stevenson and together they played music, began writing and producing various musical projects. This collaborative effort led up to the release of the self-titled smooth jazz CD "All-For-7". "Kevin and I decided the music we wanted to produce would be wholesome and good quality. With much hard work and determination, we went into production and trust that those who listen will find the music up-lifting to their heart and soul."

On stage, Jerry has played with singer Alvin Slaughter, and a number of off-Broadway productions. He has performed in concerts with Take 6, Richard Smallwood, actor Clifton Davis, Vanessa Bell Armstrong; Tramaine Hawkins, Hezekiah Walker and the Grammy award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

In addition, Jerry and Kevin have started a new record label called HipoHash Music with CD's from other artists soon to be released.