Kevin C. Hart – Producer

Kevin C. Hart was born in Middletown, Ohio, a metro-community in the Ohio Valley well recognized for spinning talented people in music to various careers. As a youth, Kevin had a desire to make music sound better and explored ways to record music from one source to another in an attempt to playback with better sound quality using his portable cassette player and other comparable devices. Money was usually a shortfall for Kevin during his up-bringing, so as a hobby he found ways to repair broken, discarded cassette players.  After graduating from high school and enlisting into the US Marine Corps, Kevin kept music as his mainstay until he was honorably discharged in 1976.  He entered Northwestern Business College in Lima, Ohio which spun off to a rewarding career with the IBM Corporation in Austin, Texas, and later achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems.

Kevin never let go of his desire to enhance recorded music for better sound; however, he did not pursue a profession in the music business until he met a wonderful jazz vocalist, now his lovely wife, Pamela Hart. It was in 1993 when Kevin was advised by Dr. James Polk to support his songbird wife with his unsung talent and desire to enhance the sound of jazz music by purchasing a complete sound system.  Thereafter, he became a self-taught sound engineer and still supports Pamela in her singing career.

Kevin and Pamela formed Woman in Jazz Association and produced concerts and vocal performance programs at various Austin venues for 30 years as of September 1, 1993.

Through HartBeat Productions, LLC, Kevin manages Pamela Hart’s booking, concert production, sound engineering, stage management, event planning, and professional project management.  His desire to support the world of jazz music led him to St James’ Episcopal Church to produce its Jazz at St James’ Concert Series in 1997 featuring David “Fathead” Newman. He fell in love with St James’ members, the Jazz at St. James’ concept, and its intermediate goal of keeping jazz music alive.  This relationship became Kevin’s annual support to Jazz at St. James’ for 21 years.  Kevin received the Lonnie L. Jackson Community Service Award presented by the Jazz at St. James’ Committee.

While working at IBM, producing concerts, and supporting Pamela’s music career, Kevin has been a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He is supported by his wife, Pamela and daughters, YoLanda Johnson (Columbus, Ohio) and Shelby Hart.  Awarded Man of the Year in 1998, Kevin was an active member, trustee and role model for Imani Community Church of Austin in addition to leader of the audio and video ministries for 12 years. He is also an active Board Member of the Austin Jazz Society since 2014.

Keeping jazz alive has been Kevin’s tireless effort of support for the craft. He believes in high quality of workmanship and respect for people.  He uses these two important traits at every live music production event whether big or small, he tries his best to satisfy both the audiences and the performing artists. His slogan “Never undercut opportunities to enhance a performer’s live sound”.  When running the sound, he immerses himself into the performances as another member of the band by following the songs and proactively mixing the live sound for better results for all.  His other slogan “The road to successful is always under construction” helped him progress 31 years of employment with IBM Corporation, and his current ambitions to date.

Kevin C Hart is a fair-minded, highly respected individual who loves the works of jazz music and production of live music.  With his music production talent coupled with the mission to keep jazz alive, he is making a big difference and raising the bar in Austin and surrounding communities.