Artist Bio

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Kahlil Childs is a 15-year-old multi-reedist from San Diego California. He is the leader of the Kahlil Childs Quartet and a member of the Rob Thorsen Quartet which features some of the finest professional musicians in San Diego. He plays alto, soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones as well as bass clarinet and flute. He currently studies with Charles McPherson -- a Detroit legend, and one of the greatest living masters of the alto saxophone. He also studies with Grammy award winning musician & producer Kamau Kenyatta (another Detroit legend). Kahlil is a featured player in the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory under the directorship of renowned trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. He made his professional debut at the age of 13 as a member of Castellanos’s quintet at the Jazz on Tap Festival in San Diego. Kahlil was named as a Young Artist Grant winner by the Jazz Excellence organization (JEXA) in 2023, and received his award at a red-carpet gala in LA from the great Dionne Warwick. Kahlil also recently had the honor of playing as a member of the J.C. Heard All-Star High School Band at the 45th Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival in September 2024.