The Kent Strand Trio (or quartet) is a swinging, fun and lively group ideal for
corporate events. "One of today's best-kept secrets in piano jazz. A great classic jazz trio" February 2004 Keyboard Magazine review of Kent's 2003 CD.
Kent’s quartet performed for President Barack Obama in 2009 opening for Tracy
Chapman and his trio opened for Train in 2010 for a corporate event. Kent is the Entertainment Director/Band Leader/Pianist at San Francisco’s
favorite nightclub, Harry Denton’s Starlight Room on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel (since 1995). His group, The Starlight Orchestra played over 1,500 nights at the Starlight Room including jazz, Latin, standards, Motown, Disco and contemporary R & B.
The Kent Strand Trio performs every Sunday in the beautiful Garden Court at
the Palace Hotel for their fabulous brunch after performing for 8 years at the
46th floor Cityscape Bar and Restaurant at the San Francisco Hilton.
Kent has performed with jazz greats including Cab Calloway and Benny Carter
and at jazz festivals throughout the United States. He has performed on NPR on
Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion Show and on Billy Taylor’s
Jazz
Alive. He has backed comedians Bill Murray, Robin Williams, Paula Poundstone,
Craig Ferguson, Dana Carvey and Martin Short. In 2012 Kent's quartet played
for two events for the AT&T Golf Tournament with Bill Murray and Clint
Eastwood joing his group onstage to sing.