The Jazz Bridge leadership team is a diverse group of musicians, non-profit and business professionals, and music lovers from the Greater Philadelphia Area. They are united in their goal to support the jazz and blues community through emergency services and performance opportunities. Learn more about the individuals currently devoting time and energies to leading Jazz Bridge and achieving its mission below.
Kevin Johnson (Email: kjohnson@jazzbridge.org)
President
Kevin serves as President and manages Jazz Bridge’s technology (website, social media, email, etc.). He also chairs the Executive, Nominating, and Programming Committees. Kevin has a passion for jazz and can often be seen throughout the region taking video and photos for Jazz Bridge’s social media outlets.
A graduate of Fisk University, Kevin is also Treasurer of Bethel A.M.E Church – Woodbury, Secretary/Keeper of Records for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Burlington Camden Alumni Chapter, Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni Board
Member and volunteers on other Boards.
Judith serves as Treasurer, chairs the Development Committee, and is on the Executive, Nominating, and Finance Committees. Judith’s interest in the role of arts and community began when she majored in Theatre/American Studies at Case Western Reserve University. Her career includes administrative and financial management for commercial and non-profit organizations (YMCA/Food Bank) and coordinating safety, quality improvement, and competitive intelligence.
Judith joined the Keswick Theatre in 1995, becoming a Corporate Officer, and then General Manager in 2008 when AEG purchased it. Judith’s experience in non-profit operations includes her volunteer work for Philadelphia Folksong Society (Board Member, Treasurer) and Creative Montco/Arts Montco (via VFTCB).
Robert Bergbauer
Secretary
Bob joined the Jazz Bridge Board of Directors in May 2023 and is the Board Secretary and Chair of the Client Services Committee. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Development Committee. Bob retired as a Partner with KPMG LLP, a global accounting, tax and consulting firm, after a 30+ year career as an economist and management consultant serving large multi-national energy and utility sector clients, and now volunteers his time to civic and non-profit organizations.
Bob is a Trustee of the Haddonfield Water Trail Association. He recently served as Chairman of the Board of USA Bobsled/Skeleton, the national governing body of the US Olympic bobsled and skeleton team, as well as Chairman of the Haddonfield Environmental Commission. He holds a BA from La Salle College and an MS from the University of Pennsylvania.
Paul Krassen
Board Member
Paul has spent the last 27 years building and managing multiple businesses. His primary focus is as the owner and managing member of Dimotec, LLC, a Payment Services Consulting firm.
Paul is a graduate of William Paterson College School of Jazz (piano) where he studied with Norman Simmons, Harold Mabern, Rob Schneiderman, Pete Malinverni and many others. He also studied classically with the late Gary Kirkpatrick. Paul continues to study the Taubman technique today with concert pianist and violinist Maria Dell’Orefice.
Paul currently leads his Smoking Section Quintet and performs as a sideman throughout the Philadelphia area. He has released 2 CDs under his own name with Larry Mckenna and Tony DeSantis.
Ian Sadock
Board Member
Ian is an award-winning pianist/composer and music theorist from Philadelphia with unique research interests in the cognitive processes of improvised music and “Other” harmony. Ian has served on the faculty at The Settlement Music School, The University of the Arts, Cheltenham Township Adult School, and Greensleeves Music.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Bachelor of Science in Cell & Molecular Biology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from The University of the Arts, National Certification as Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, and conducted pre-collegiate study at the Nelly Berman School of Music.
Ian Sadock is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Chamber Music America (CMA), the American Composers Forum (ACF), and the National Guild for Community Arts Education.
Khaaleedah Smith
Board Member
As a new board member, Khaaleedah is excited to bring her professional skills, passion for jazz, and personal interests to Jazz Bridge. With a background in business development within the professional services, technology consulting, and A/E/C industries, she specializes in driving organizational growth through relationship building, data-driven decision-making, pursuit planning, and process improvement.
Khaaleedah’s love for live jazz led her to a Jazz Bridge Neighborhood Concert Series in 2016, deepening her appreciation for the talented artists and the organization’s impact on the local scene. While she hasn’t played a musical instrument since high school, Khaaleedah remains connected to music through dancing and singing along at local Philadelphia music venues, enjoying performances annually at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Camden Waterfront Sunset Jazz Series. These experiences have strengthened her belief that music can create thriving community.
Beyond her passion for music, Khaaleedah is committed to fitness, particularly weightlifting and skiing. She also has a love for traveling, which allows her to explore new cultures and cuisines. Drawn to the arts as avenues for self-expression and hope, her interests span contemporary visual art, fashion, musical theatre, rap, and electronic music festivals. These diverse passions and experiences inspire Khaaleedah to create opportunities and foster a deeper enjoyment of jazz through her role at Jazz Bridge.
Kevin Valentine
Board Member
Kevin joined the Jazz Bridge Board in Spring 2022 and is on the Client Services, Programming, and Development Committees. He is a jazz vocalist, whose journey began with the Boys Choir of Harlem. Now a Philadelphia resident for almost 30 years, Kevin can be heard regionally with trios, quartets, big bands and orchestras.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Kevin is also a real estate attorney and Board member of the Neighborhood Progress Fund (a non-profit offering loans and services to entrepreneurs and small businesses in distressed communities). Kevin’s dual skills and experience uniquely position him to support Jazz Bridge’s musician assistance programs.
Kim Tucker
Executive Director
Kim is a Philadelphia-born jazz promoter, historian and teacher with 20+ years’ experience in advocacy, fundraising, event management, and public relations. Under the tutelage of her late mother, a jazz producer and founding Jazz Bridge Board member, Kim immersed herself in the rich Philadelphia music community at an early age. Kim has held various positions with Jazz Bridge since 2007 and served as its Program Director until she became its Executive Director in January 2022. She is responsible for Jazz Bridge’s mission-critical client services and concert programs as well as its music community partnerships. Kim has been honored as a “Revolutionary of Jazz” and for her work mentoring young jazz musicians. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Harcum College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Chestnut Hill College.
Doug Drewes
Director of Operations
Doug is a jazz bassist who can be seen performing regularly in the Philadelphia area. In addition to performing, Doug was the Associate Branch Director for Settlement Music School and led Double Bass Instruction at Capitol Harmony Works. As Jazz Bridge’s Director of Operations, Doug draws on his skills and experience in office management, financial recordkeeping, marketing and communications, and fundraising. Doug brings a passion for jazz and hopes to help grow and enrich the arts community through his work at Jazz Bridge. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Conservatory of Music at The State University of New York at Purchase College.
JAZZ BRIDGE ALSO DEPENDS ON THE HARD WORK OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTERS:
Jazz Bridge Advisors – Serving on a committee
Shekhinah B, Randy Powell, George Rodriguez, Burt Siegel, Mervin Toussaint