Kevin Wong

Kevin Wong has always loved the low end. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, and audio engineer, he gives top priority to the groove in music—preferably while playing the bass lines with his left hand. One listen and it is no surprise Kevin has become one of the most in-demand keyboardists in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Born in Palo Alto, CA with perfect pitch, Kevin started playing piano at the age of four. By six he was composing. Always wanting to challenge himself, he also picked up a series of woodwind and brass instruments, again gravitating towards the deepest sound—playing clarinet, baritone saxophone, tuba, and finally bass trombone—before settling on the tenor saxophone.

At twenty he discovered the awesome power of Neal Evans’ (Soulive) left hand and was hooked by the idea of playing both keyboard and bass parts himself. While studying jazz and world music at San Francisco State University, Kevin applied for the saxophone chair in the Gospel Choir; he was asked to play organ instead. Inspired, he began playing in churches of various denominations all over the Bay Area. On Sundays in an East Oakland Pentecostal Church Kevin developed his truly soulful side, internalizing the deep and expressive history of gospel organ.

In 2012 Kevin released his first album as a leader, Movin’ Air, with his group Kevin Wong & the BASSment. The album—called “a whole new branch on the organ jazz tree” by The Hammond Jazz Inventory—featured many of Kevin’s original compositions and boldly announced his arrival as a left-hand bass virtuoso. Since then Kevin has been busy in the studio, recording with famed producer and Mahavishnu Orchestra drummer Narada Michael Walden, as well as with Levi Seacer (Prince), Tony Saunders, Still Time, Jazz Mafia, Will Magid, and Jeff Subaru (among others).

In addition to performing with the above artists, Kevin has shared the stage with many talented musicians, including Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Neal Schon (Journey), Thomas Pridgen, Keke Wyatt, Jay Graydon, Lyrics Born, Booker T., E.C. Scott, Vernon Black, Kenny Washington, and Francisca Valenzuela. He also serves as the organist and musical director for St. James AME Zion Church.

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