TEAM
KENT ANDERSON
KENT ANDERSON
Founder, C Sharp Consulting · Music Executive · Educator · Bassist
FULL BIOGRAPHY
Some careers follow a straight line. Kent Anderson’s has followed the music — and that has made all the difference. From the moment he sat down at the piano in elementary school, then picked up a trumpet, then found his true voice on the bass, Anderson has been a musician first. Every executive role, every label, every boardroom decision that followed was shaped by that foundation: an ear trained before a business degree, instincts built in rehearsal rooms before they were refined in corner offices.
That journey took him from managing record stores for Trans World Music — the nation’s largest music retailer — to the offices of GRP Records, where he became Midwest Regional Sales Manager before moving to New York to oversee national sales and marketing. Working alongside the legendary producer Tommy LiPuma, Anderson helped build GRP into the world’s number-one jazz label for five consecutive years, a run that generated more than 30 Grammy nominations and over $25 million in annual domestic sales. It was a golden era for jazz, and Anderson was at the center of it.
What came next would prove to be one of the most consequential chapters in the history of recorded music — and Anderson had a front-row seat. As Vice President at N2K, Inc., working under the mentorship of Phil Ramone, he was part of the team that produced the first-ever digital music download, a collaboration with David Bowie that most people in the industry at the time did not yet believe was possible. N2K also launched one of the earliest e-commerce platforms for music, developed an early online music player, and released one of the first 5.1 surround sound DVDs. Anderson did not simply witness the birth of digital music. He helped deliver it.
At Virgin Records, he led all sales and marketing for Virgin Associated Labels — including Narada, Real World, Luaka Bop, and Higher Octave — and collaborated on four consecutive number-one Billboard Jazz & Blues chart compilation albums. As President and Executive Producer of A440 Music Group, he guided the label to a Grammy nomination and win for Best 5.1 Surround Sound Mix, earning critical acclaim from the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times along the way. Throughout, he has managed and produced recordings for a roster of artists, including Dario Cohen, Josh Spinner, Rob Mathes, Jackie Allen, Alice Peacock, Henry Johnson, and Steve Cole.
Today, Anderson channels that lifetime of experience into two complementary roles. As founder of C Sharp Consulting LLC, he works with artists and labels at the intersection of music, marketing, and strategy — the same territory he has navigated for three decades, now with the perspective that only comes from having lived through every seismic shift in the industry firsthand. And as an Adjunct Professor of Instruction at Columbia College Chicago, he instructs what the industry cannot always teach itself: how to think clearly about music, business, and the decisions that define a career. His courses in the Business of Music, Entertainment Marketing, Digital Media Strategies, and Decision-Making: Music Business are informed not just by theory, but by the rooms he has actually been in and the deals he has actually made. He is the author of It’s All About the Music Marketing Stupid (Second Edition), a practitioner’s guide to music marketing that reflects the same no-nonsense clarity he brings to the classroom. A member of The Recording Academy, an Eagle Scout, and a professional bassist who has performed on both upright and electric bass with jazz ensembles, big bands, pit orchestras, and rock and R&B groups — Anderson remains, at his core, a musician. That has never changed. It is, in the end, what makes everything else he does worth listening to.
GEREY JOHNSON
Gerey Johnson is a music producer, guitarist, and music director with more than two decades of success across contemporary jazz, R&B, and artist development. Based in Chicago, Gerey brings a rare blend of musicianship, business acumen, and leadership to every project—shaped by an unconventional path that spans finance, touring, production, and record label management.
Before dedicating himself fully to music, Gerey earned a degree in political science from Northwestern University and built a successful career in investment banking. Rising to Assistant Vice President, he managed IRAs and retirement plans for corporate clients on Chicago’s North Shore. He later became a licensed money manager, working for national and boutique investment firms as well as family-owned investment companies.
While maintaining a demanding career in finance, Gerey continued to gig, write music, and perform as a guitarist—never abandoning his creative drive. A pivotal personal moment ultimately reshaped his life’s direction, leading him to step away from banking and pursue music full-time. That decision marked the beginning of an extraordinary career in the music industry.
Raised on Chicago’s South Side, Gerey was immersed in music from an early age. Surrounded by jazz and R&B records at home, he began playing drums and keyboards before discovering his true voice on the guitar. Influenced by R&B music and jazz fusion innovators, Gerey developed a distinctive style that blends technical precision with emotional depth.
As his career progressed, he became a regular presence on the Chicago music scene, performing extensively and refining his sound. His vintage ’72 Thinline Fender Telecaster—still part of his collection—became a defining instrument in his musical journey.
As the leader of his fusion band Cool World, Gerey emerged as both a performer and entrepreneur. He began booking national acts for Chicago venues while continuing to perform, eventually becoming a minority partner in one of the clubs he helped build. His ability to connect musicians, venues, and audiences contributed to Chicago’s growing profile in contemporary jazz.
Gerey’s career expanded into roles such as studio manager and A&R representative, where he sharpened his skills in artist development, composition, and music direction. He also found success as a music producer and songwriter, working with R&B artists and composing music for advertising agencies.
A major turning point came when Gerey joined a national tour with a leading contemporary jazz artist. Over the following years, he recorded and performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, funk, and R&B, while also producing and writing music released on major record labels.
This period cemented Gerey’s reputation as a versatile guitarist, trusted music director, and seasoned producer, capable of moving seamlessly between studio work, live performance, and strategic leadership.
Today, Gerey Johnson is a highly sought-after music director, and guitarist performing at jazz festivals, concerts, and cruise engagements while serving as MD for long-running smooth jazz series in multiple U.S. cities.
With over 20 years of experience as a musician, songwriter, producer, artist manager, and record label executive, Gerey brings deep industry knowledge and an expansive professional network to every collaboration. His work is guided by a commitment to artistic excellence, strategic thinking, and helping artists build sustainable, meaningful careers in music.
ANDRES CORREA
Andres Correa joins C Sharp Consulting, LLC with a deep-rooted passion for the music industry and a strong foundation in recording and music publishing. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Andres has developed his expertise through a series of high-impact internships with respected music and media organizations.
His experience includes work with Thirty Tigers in Nashville and Musicbed in Fort Worth, where he represented the brand during SXSW, as well as a recent remote residency with TwoOHsix Music in Los Angeles. These roles provided hands-on exposure to artist services, booking operations, and the broader mechanics of today’s music business.
Originally from Colombia, Andres brings a global perspective and a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to his work. In addition to his role as Booking Agent & Digital Outreach Coordinator, he supports artists through playlist pitching, blogger outreach, and influencer submissions, helping connect new releases with the right platforms, tastemakers, and audiences. His focus is on bridging the gap between talent and opportunity—both on stage and online.
