Born in Atlanta, Kevin Oliver, Jr, is a saxophonist currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Juilliard School. Kevin starting performing at the age of 11. He started off busking in downtown Atlanta at sporting events, parks and street corners eager to share his gift with the world. He was inspired to keep playing by the happiness that he saw on the faces of people who stopped to listen and meet him. Now 18, he has had the chance to take advantage of a plethora of musical opportunities. He was a part of the inaugural year of NYO Jazz directed by Sean Jones and played concerts at Carnegie Hall and across Europe alongside Dianne Reeves and a big band of some of the brightest young musicians around the country. He was also selected as a YoungArts Finalist for 2019.

Along with playing music, Kevin is also a stand-up comedian. From an early age, Kevin has been inspired by his heroes John Coltrane, Dave Chappelle, and Donald Glover. He was inspired by how each of these artists played music or told jokes in a way that was not only entertaining, but socially conscious. Kevin is inspired specifically by Donald Glover and wants to join him in dismantling the idea that performers can’t be great in multiple areas. He started his band the Kevin Oliver, Jr. Group in hopes to combine African-American musical traditions (gospel, early swing traditions, bebop, avant garde, hip hop, R&B) and stand-up comedy in a way that is fresh and uniquely his own.  The sound was inspired by old playbills that had acts like Miles Davis and John Coltrane on a double bill with comedians like Richard Pryor.

His mission is to cultivate a sound and aesthetic that demonstrate a profound level of creativity, beauty, and meaning. By assimilating, writing, and performing, he aspires to create art that embodies his sincerest sentiments and to connect with his audiences in an honest way.