Behind the Scenes of “In The Name of Love” MLK Tribute (SF)

Go inside the making of an iconic musical showcase that reimagines the music of Sly & the Family Stone with a variety of musical styles. Experience first-look live performances by Music Director and pianist Kev Choice, pus a conversation with Lyz Luke, Executive Director of Living Jazz about how In the Name of Love delivers a soul-nourishing message of unity.

Kev Choice is a pianist, MC, producer, composer, educator, and cultural leader from Oakland, California. His signature sound fuses classical training, jazz studies, and the soulful roots of Hip-Hop, R&B, and funk, while his lyrics uplift through themes of social justice, empowerment, and transformation.

A graduate of Oakland’s Skyline High School, he earned degrees in Piano Performance from Xavier University of Louisiana (B.A.) and Southern Illinois University (M.A.). Kev has toured in over 20 countries and collaborated with artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Goapele, E-40, Too $hort, Ledisi, and Zion I. As a solo artist, his acclaimed projects include Oakland Riviera (2014), Love and Revolution (2015), 88 Steps to Eternity (2016), and Social Distancing (2020). His commissioned works include Soul Restoration Suite for the Oakland Symphony and Movements for the San Francisco Symphony.

Beyond performance, Kev served on Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Commission, is President of the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Advisory Board, a board member with the Oakland Symphony, and a Professor at San Francisco State University. A passionate arts and culture advocate, he champions equity in creative industries, youth mentorship, and community-based cultural preservation. He is also the founder of Legacy Symphonic, a Black-led orchestral collective, and Choice Scores, an AI-powered music technology platform that transforms audio into musical scores—bridging innovation, artistry, and accessibility

Lyz Luke is a futuristic leader with over 15 years of dedicated work amplifying the intersection between arts, culture, and community empowerment. A resident of Oakland, Luke has presented concerts and events throughout the Bay Area and has worked with over 150 diverse local bands and over 2,000 local musicians. Her passion is building a stronger community through music and the arts.

Lyz started as a member of Living Jazz’s Advisory Council in 2019 and officially joined Living Jazz as Associate Director in early 2020. In February 2023, she was selected to step into the Executive Director role. Luke’s performance management, production, and development background is bolstered by extensive experience nonprofit fundraising, event planning, and public relations. Lyz is known for founding the award winning series UnderCover Presents in 2010 and has since released 15 studio recorded albums and showcases as part of the series.

She has also worked with Oakland Symphony, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), Embodiment Project, Red Poppy Art House, ArtSpan (SF Open Studios), AIDS Walk, The San Francisco Marathon, and others. Lyz Luke achievements include being a certified mediator, serving on the board of Californians for the Arts/Californian Arts Advocates, serving on the Advisory Board of the California Jazz Conservatory, former three-term Governor on the SF Board of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs); Leadership Oakland Class of 2017, serving as an Oakland Rotarian, 2017’s YBCA 100 List; East Bay Express “Best of”, SF Weekly’s “Best of” (2x), and SF Guardian “Best of”, Grants Panelist for Oakland Cultural Funding Program and City of Denver Music Advancement Fund, 3 Oakland Mayoral Proclamations presented at UnderCover shows to Sly & The Family Stone, Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, and Green Day, B.S. in Economics from St. John’s University, NCAA Championship ring in fencing.

220 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 2 blocks from BART/MUNI
Doors open at 6
Free snacks
Refreshments for donation (and KALW members get their first one on the house)
🆓 The event is free with an RSVP — and you are welcome to donate what you want

Please note:

• The event space is just to the left of the main entrance to the Mills Building at 220 Montgomery Street
• We recommend taking BART/MUNI, exiting at Montgomery, and walking two blocks north
• Ride-shares can drop off and pick up directly in front of the venue
• If you drive, there are several garages within two blocks of the event location