The New Kid in KCMO

Daniel Kent is a jazz trombonist and composer from St. Louis, Missouri, currently based in Kansas City, where he studies with Marcus Lewis at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory. Having begun piano at age two, when his parents discovered that he had perfect pitch,  and trombone at age ten, Kent developed a musical foundation that spans jazz, classical, and contemporary traditions. In addition to trombone, he plays bass trombone, trumpet, tuba, euphonium, and piano, bringing a versatile instrumental perspective to his work as a performer and composer.

Kent began studying jazz seriously during his junior year of high school, joining the Jazz St. Louis Jazz U program and performing with the Bob DeBoo group from 2022 to 2024. His jazz experience includes the Missouri All-State Jazz Band and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, with which he performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2024. He has also performed with his own group, The Glass Theory, at venues throughout St. Louis and premiered original compositions at Jazz St. Louis, Blue Strawberry, and The Dark Room. Additional festival appearances include the Ecotones Music Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival.

As a composer, Kent draws inspiration from Cedar Walton, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Sean Mason, Roy Hargrove, and Thelonious Monk. These influences inform his interest in strong melodic writing, rhythmic vitality, harmonic exploration, and the interplay between composition and improvisation. His trombone playing is shaped by artists including Michael Dease, Andre Hayward, Vincent Gardner, and Wynton Marsalis, whose distinct approaches to technique, phrasing, and musical expression contribute to his developing artistic voice.

Kent has performed alongside or in ensembles associated with acclaimed musicians including  Benny Green, Andy Martin, Alan Ferber, Adam Maness, and Bob DeBoo. His classical ensemble experience includes playing with the St. Louis Civic Orchestra, John Philip Sousa National Honor Band, NPR What Makes It Great Concert Series, Black Dyke Band and St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, where he served as principal trombone from 2022 to 2024.

His classical accomplishments include four years of participation in the Missouri All-State Orchestra and Concert Band, selection for the 2024 John Philip Sousa All-National Band, and tenor and bass trombone experience with Webster University Youth Orchestras from 2018 to 2022. He also performed with the St. Louis Academy Brass Band from 2023 to 2024 and studied classical trombone for one year at the Manhattan School of Music with Sasha Romero. His honors include the Webster University Young Artist Scholarship in 2020 and first place in the St. Louis Civic Orchestra Florence Frager Young Artist Competition in 2024. He also holds the distinction of being the only person to participate in every Missouri All-State ensemble and qualify for all four years.

Kent's musical development has been shaped by teachers Tyler Vahldick, Ilya Litvin, Jim Martin, Sasha Romero, Colin Williams, Ryan Keberle, and Marcus Lewis. Building on his experience across jazz and classical music, he continues to pursue a distinctive voice as a trombonist and composer, combining a respect for tradition with a commitment to improvisation, original music, and collaborative creativity.

Daniel Kent plays on Michael Rath Trombones and Mouthpieces.