KENT ANDERSON
Kent Anderson’s love for music began early, taking root in elementary school with piano, trumpet, and bass lessons. This passion has driven his lifelong career in the music industry as a musician, producer, author, consultant, lecturer, and adjunct professor. A published author of It’s All About The Music Marketing, Stupid, Kent has held key industry positions, including roles at Virgin Records, GRP Records, N2K, Inc., and as President of A440 Music Group. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Instruction at Columbia College Chicago, where he instructs courses such as Business of Music, Entertainment Marketing, and Decision Making: Music Business.
Kent’s journey into the music business began with managing record stores for Trans World Music Corp., a role that took him to the Quad Cities, Chicago, Short Hills, NJ, and Greenwich, CT. From there, he joined GRP Records as Midwest Regional Sales Manager, eventually becoming Head of Sales and Marketing in New York. Collaborating closely with legendary producer Tommy LiPuma, Kent helped GRP achieve the distinction of being named the #1 Jazz Label in the world for five consecutive years, with over 30 Grammy nominations and annual domestic sales exceeding $25 million.
At N2K, Inc., under the mentorship of Phil Ramone, Kent contributed to groundbreaking advancements in music and technology, including the first digital music download in history with David Bowie. His work helped N2K earn recognition as Billboard’s #1 Independent Jazz Label of the Year, with notable successes like the West Side Story album.
At Virgin, Kent oversaw sales and marketing for Virgin Associated Labels, including Narada, Real World, Luaka Bop, and Higher Octave.
He also produced four consecutive #1 Billboard Jazz & Blues chart compilation recordings in collaboration with the Music Business Association.
As President of A440 Music Group, Kent executive produced over 20 recordings, earning accolades such as a Grammy nomination, Best 5.1 Surround Sound Mix award, and critical praise from outlets like the Chicago Tribune and L.A. Times. He has worked with a diverse array of artists, including Jackie Allen, Steve Cole, and Carrie McDowell.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Kent holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Double Bass Performance from the University of Northern Iowa, with additional studies at the University of Iowa. As a professional musician, he toured and performed for over a decade with big bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras, pit ensembles, R&B, and rock bands.
Kent is a voting member of The Recording Academy (The Grammys) and an Eagle Scout. Based in Chicago, he continues to lead C Sharp Consulting, play gigs on upright and electric bass, and remain deeply engaged in the music industry.
GEREY JOHNSON
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University and began his professional life in the banking sector as an Assistant Trust Officer, managing IRAs and retirement plans. But as fate would have it, his brother, in his final days, urged him to leave the corporate world behind and pursue his passion—playing the guitar. The very next day, Gerey quit his job and embarked on a music career that has spanned decades. And yes, folks, we’re talking about Gerey Johnson.
Gerey Johnson’s journey into music is as inspiring as it is unique. Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Gerey was immersed in music from an early age, thanks to the jazz and R&B records his father played at home. His parents encouraged his interest by buying him a drum kit, but after one gig, Gerey decided the drums were far too cumbersome for a skinny kid like him. His next instrument, a Fender Rhodes electric piano, proved equally impractical to transport. Finally, inspired by guitar legends like Pat Metheny and Larry Coryell, Gerey discovered his true calling with the guitar. Armed with a knock-off Fender Squier, he began gigging around Chicago before upgrading to a vintage ’72 Thinline Fender Telecaster that remains in his collection today.
As the leader of his fusion band, Cool World, Gerey quickly became a staple of the Chicago music scene. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through when he began booking national acts at The Jazz Bulls, a legendary Chicago venue where he also performed and became a minority partner. His ability to connect with other musicians and his growing reputation drew major acts like Brian Culbertson, Kirk Whalum, and Darryl Jones, further solidifying his role in the city’s contemporary jazz community.
Gerey’s career expanded beyond performance as he took on roles like Studio Manager at 35th Street Studios and A&R representative for Sony Records. These positions honed his skills in artist development, composition, and music direction. During this time, he reunited with his longtime friend Kent Anderson, joining A440 Music Group to further immerse himself in the contemporary jazz world.
A pivotal moment came when Brian Culbertson invited Gerey to join his tour, kicking off decades of collaborations with legends such as Marcus Miller, George Duke, Sheila E, and Richard Elliot. Gerey has also produced and written music for major labels, including Atlantic, Jive, Sony, RCA, and Warner Brothers.
Today, Gerey is a sought-after guitarist, producer, and music director. He balances a full schedule of jazz festivals, cruises, and concerts while serving as MD for a long-running smooth jazz series in Chicago. With over 20 years of success as a musician, songwriter, producer, artist manager, and record label executive, Gerey brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a vast network of industry connections to help artists achieve their goals.
GALLERY
