Kent Ellingson has been active in the DFW music scene for many years. He recently retired after thirty-one years as an instructor of music at the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, where he taught jazz piano, music theory, composition, and vocal jazz. Kent currently teaches applied jazz piano at Collin College in Plano and is an adjunct music professor at Eastfield College in Mesquite, where he also performs as pianist for the faculty jazz combo. Kent was the recipient of the Sammons D’Jam Jazz Educator Award in 2016. He serves as a faculty pianist and jazz instructor for the Collin College summer jazz camp. Kent performs locally with a variety of groups. He has performed in concert with several jazz notables, including Randy Brecker, Ingrid Jenson, Bob Mintzer, Clark Terry, and Phil Woods.
Kay Ellingson’s smooth and silky style has earned the singer a loyal fan base, which is no surprise to anyone who has enjoyed a performance by this “small but mighty” vocalist with a dynamic range of voice and style. Kay sings and leads her own jazz group, the K. Ellingson Group, and performs as one of two lead singers in the group Wives and Lovers. Kay’s performances have included jazz concerts at the Dallas Museum of Art, Eastfield College, and the Sammons Center for the Arts, where she was twice featured in the Cabaret Series. She appears regularly at clubs and other venues throughout the DFW area.
Mark Wilson has been a bassist & performing musician in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area for many years. He attended the University of North Texas, and graduated with a degree in Jazz Studies in 1983. A veteran of 45 years of performing, Mark Wilson has played with Roberta Flack, Dianne Carroll, The Fifth Dimension, Joel Gray and other celebrities.
Kent Hillman's musical career began at age twelve when he was invited to perform as a drummer with Jack Benny show star, Gisele MacKenzie. Other notable engagements include The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Marvin Hamlish and more recently, trumpeters Jon Faddis and Tom Harrell. Kent received his BA in Percussion Performance from CSU, Fresno and his MM in Jazz Studies from UNT, where he served as a teaching fellow in jazz arranging and directed the 8 O'Clock lab band. He currently serves on the percussion faculty at Texas A&M-Commerce, teaching drum set and vibraphone.
Please join us for a memorable performance presented free of charge. For more information or to reserve your seats, call 972.403.1853 or RSVP online.
Steinway Hall - Plano
5813 Preston Rd. Suite 570
Plano, Texas 75093
Get Directions >
Have all your questions answered — by phone or email.
Get the latest from Steinway & Sons Dallas • Fort Worth • Plano • Houston • Tulsa.