About

Hailing from a international lineage of artists and musicians, Jerome has been performing around the world since he was a child, and most recently has been performing with both national and international tours of award-winning musicals such as West Side Story, Annie, Bridges of Madison County, Kinky Boots, and has most recently closed the National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen. Having graduated with a BM and MM from DePaul University, Jerome plays both violin and viola, and enjoys performing with local and visiting artists here in Chicago. An avid improviser, as well as a composer of original music, Jerome is a member of the chamber ensemble “Sarabande” as well as the local group the “Good Times Trio,” and is the founder of the Artisan Animal Collective, a modular multi-genre artistic management conglomerate that facilitates connections between like-minded musicians and performers the world over.

Music

I am primarily classically trained, so I draw from a deep knowledge of historical western music. In addition to having experience with African and South American music, I also have quite a bit of experience with improvisation in a variety of genres, and I like to meld all of the above into a program that tells a story, and flows naturally from piece to piece. I also incorporate electronic elements and looping in order to expand the texture of the violin and viola.
My usual program order is something like:
Ambient improv
Solo Bach for viola or violin
Contrapuntal improv
Eugène Ysaye solo sonata for violin
Solo improv
Solo Bach
Jean Martinon sonatine for solo violin
Loop pedal improv
Bach viola
Ysaye solo violin
Improv out.

I am happy to incorporate other music or adjust the program as you like.

Programs

Host one of these programs in your space!

• 

  Classics in the Modern Realm

  • Musician profile: Jerome Kava
  • Instruments: Violin+Viola+5-string-electric

  See full program »

Past groupmuses (2)

• 

  Is West Humboldt the best Humboldt?

  Friday, Aug 19, 2022 7:30 PM CDT

  • Neighborhood: West Humboldt Park, Chicago
  • Composers: J.S. Bach, E. Ysaÿe, E. Elgar, E. Kaler
  • Instruments: Violin, Viola, Baby Violin, Electric V.
  • Price: Free to reserve, $20+ at event

  Happened over 1 year ago

• 

  Summer Skymuse

  Wednesday, Aug 21, 2019 7:00 PM CDT

  • Neighborhood: West Loop
  • Composers: Bach, Ysäye, Kreisler, Martinon, Kaler
  • Instruments: Violin/viola
  • Price: $5 to reserve, $20+ at event

  Happened over 4 years ago