Red Gold (2014) and Perspectives (2022) proved popular with a global audience, garnering over two million streams across streaming services. Kevin has recorded three albums as a leader. While there, he studied piano with Chicago jazz legend Larry Novak. Eavesdropping on jam sessions at the house and regularly listening to his dad’s classic jazz record collection helped to refine Kevin’s ear and develop his appreciation for the music.Īfter high school, Kevin enrolled at the DePaul University School of Music, where he graduated with highest honors, earning both his BA and MM in Jazz Studies. Kevin was inspired to pursue a career in jazz by his father’s love of alto saxophone. He has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Bob Brookmeyer, John Clayton, James Moody, Ira Sullivan, Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Steve Turre, Bill Watrous, Louie Bellson, Harry Allen, George Fludas, Andy Brown, and Makaya McCraven. Known for his warm touch and virtuosic yet lyrical improvisations, Kevin is a champion of the straight-ahead jazz tradition while embracing modern influences. “But we’ve been fortunate to have the manpower and the strategy in place to be nimble and make changes as we’ve been going.”įreedman said he expects the hotel to generate 300 to 400 jobs once it’s complete.įour Winds Casino is a financial supporter of WVPE.Ĭontact Gemma at follow her on Twitter at you appreciate this kind of journalism on your local NPR station, please support it by donating here.Kevin Fort has established himself as one of the most in demand pianists on the Chicago jazz scene. Most certainly, it’s a concern,” Freedman said.

“To say it’s not a concern would be inaccurate. “So as we watch that piece of business, we may want to reassess and add in more table games.”įreedman said COVID-related supply chain issues and labor shortages haven’t affected the casino’s construction projects – he said the hotel is still on track to open in the first quarter of 2023. “We recently became a Class III operation and we added table games,” he said. Freedman said that expansion will include around 6,000 more slot machines and 12 to 15 more table games – but those are “moving targets.” The facility is expected to be completed in 2023.įor guests that do gamble, though, the casino is also expanding its gaming floor – an extra 40,000 square feet is expected to open next fall. Credit Gemma DiCarlo/WVPE The view of downtown South Bend from the top floor of Four Winds' 23-story hotel tower.

Four winds casino south bend hotel