Kevin Crabb Music: Drums, Percussion & Jazz

Kevin with his mentor, Richard Wilson.
(click on photo for larger view)

Kevin was a proverbial "child star" and began his career on stage before he was born - his mother was 8 months pregnant with him, performing in the Shakespearean festival show Pirates of Penzance. Kevin’s father also had a starring role along side Christopher Plummer, who held Kevin in his arms on the day of birth. Upon that auspicious occasion, Kevin began his career in the arts.

Both of Kevin’s parents earned a Master’s degree. Brian at Eastman School of Music as an opera singer and Jan at Juilliard as a modern dancer. Brain went on to become a celebrity in Canada in film, stage and television, and Jan danced on Broadway and would eventually become a member of the world-renown Martha Graham Dance Company.

Kevin & Don Franks (Pooh) appearing
on the front of TV Guide
(click on photo for larger view)

Kevin was profoundly affected by this artistic environment and began singing professionally at the age of 8 years, where he caught the eye of a television director, and was hired to appear in a national hotdog commercial. Kevin dove-tailed the experience into other performances, appearing in national commercials as well as several film and television shows in leading roles. At the age of 11, Kevin landed the highly prestigious singing and acting role of Christopher Robin in a world-class production of Winnie the Pooh, also starring Don Francks (Finnean's Rainbow), Andrea Martin (SCTV), with music director, Jimmy Dale (Sonny & Cher, Smother’s Brothers). Kevin’s appearance on the front of the Canadian TV Guide helped to advertise his theatrical show. In this same year he joined the Local 149 Musician’s Union and began drumming and singing in his father’s Caberet/Vegas-style show, where he learned the art of backing up a variety of vocalists, performing six nights a week.

Kevin had been studying since the age of 8 years with Ed Gold (drums) and Darwin Aiken (piano), who is Canada’s premier symphonic piano teacher. Before Kevin was in his teens his musical efforts helped him to become active as the first-call jingle singer of television and radio in Toronto, working with Sid Kesler, Larry Trudel and Tommy Ambrose. At the age of 13 Kevin began studying drums with Toronto jazz drummers, Stan Perry and Jack McQuade. At 16 he was accepted to study with Canada’s foremost drum teacher, Jim Blackley, who is listed as one of the top four drum teachers by Modern Drummer Magazine. At the age of 18 Kevin spent one year in Long Boat Key, Florida performing 6 nights a week in a trio that included Steve Hunter on piano. Steve is currently Colm Wilkinson accompianist. Afterwards, Kevin worked as freelance musician on the Toronto scene performing in a myriad of professional musical situations. For two years, Kevin filled the drum chair for the Kenny Simon Hour-Glass Dance Band. He also played live and recorded with The Red (a group produced and recorded by Daniel Lanois), The Big Parade, The Touch and Vis-à-vis, who won a Casby Award (Canadian equivalent of the Grammy’s for best up and coming pop group).

Kevin majored in music at Pepperdine University, where he received a scholarship and eventually moved to Los Angeles permanently with his family. Kevin was blessed with a daughter, Tiffany and a son, Dylan. In Los Angeles Kevin studied with world-famous master drum teachers Murray Spivack for 2 years and Richard Wilson for 13 years, as well as private study just about every name drummer including Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine, Chad Wackerman, Virgil Donati, Jeff Hamilton, Mike Shapiro, Ralph Humphrey, Alex Acuna, Dick Weller, Johnny Guerrin, Chuck Silverman, Ron Wikso, Willie Arnelis, Jimmy Brandley, Gary Ferguson, David Garibaldi, Joel Taylor, Richie Garcia, Joe Porcaro, Mike Barsimonto, Nick Martinez, Roy Burns, Efrain Toro, Greg Alban and Richard Martinez. Kevin is also currently studying composition with symphonic composer, Bob Selvin. Kevin has had the opportunity to work with such stars as singer and actor James Darren, Nel Carter, Jules Aiken, The Intruders. Kevin is currently leading his own jazz ensemble, Kevin Crabb & Friends, where they have performed at the world-renown venue “The Baked Potato” and throughout the Los Angeles area. Kevin’s group includes some of the finest musicians in the world, including David Garfield (Karizma, musical director for George Benson), John Beasley (recorded with Miles Davis), John Heard, (Amad Jamal, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson), Jennifer Leitham (George Shearing, Mel Torme), Otmaro Ruiz, John McLaughlin, just to indicate a few. Kevin also maintains a busy private teaching schedule and has taught clinic workshops in the Los Angeles area, including LA City College, Valley College, El Camino High School, Hale Middle School and Taft High School among others.

Kevin continues his goal to be a well-developed original player whose name is recognized in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and Paris. Kevin is proud to be endorsed by Mapex Drum Company and Hart Electronic Drum Company and is currently in the process of releasing his own CD, coming soon.

Please be sure to resource this website, kevincrabb.com for constant updates of live performances, teaching clinics and workshops, and CD release information.

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