Kevin Reeves is a Grammy-nominated mastering engineer and esteemed studio executive whose journey in the music industry is as inspiring as it is remarkable. His musical odyssey began in Los Angeles in the 1980’s as a musician, setting the stage for a career that would leave an indelible mark on the world of music production.
Kevin's path took a pivotal turn after hearing an advertisement for the Trebas Institute of Recording Arts while working at a restaurant. His first studio job was in 1985 at the front desk of Valley Central Studios in Van Nuys CA, taking on any task imaginable to immerse himself in the studio environment.
Despite facing initial challenges breaking into the industry, Kevin's persistence and talent caught the attention of Barb Hein, the then studio manager at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. This encounter marked a turning point, leading to Kevin's tenure at Capitol from 1986-1997, a place he describes as magical, where full-circle moments were a regular occurrence.
Starting at Capitol in studio setup, Kevin then moved into a studio assistant roll and then joined the T2 production team. His journey as a mastering engineer began by shadowing and assisting legendary Capitol mastering engineers Wally Traugott and Ron McMaster. When Wally retired in 1997, Kevin succeeded him, solidifying his expertise in mastering.
Kevin's audio career then led him to the East Coast where he worked for PolyGram and Universal Music Group. Kevin also spent a few years at New York’s Sterling Sound.
Alongside industry figures like Patrick Kraus and Michael Frey, Kevin explored new opportunities, including a pivotal trip to Nashville that eventually led to UMG's acquisition of Nashville’s House of Blues studio campus - now UMG’s East Iris Studios.
Kevin's contributions to the music industry extend beyond mastering, with over 1,000 credits in mastering and mixing in both stereo and Dolby Atmos and is also an industry authority on analog tape transfers, archiving, and preservation. His work spans all genres, including notable releases like the 2018 Impulse Records release of "John Coltrane - both Directions at Once," showcasing his mastery in Jazz and R&B.
Currently serving as the VP of North American Studio Operations for Universal Music Group, Kevin oversees East Iris in Nashville, while also playing a key role on the executive audio team within UMG’s studio network in North America. He credits the collective spirit of East Iris for his success and remains passionate about the studio's growth and future endeavors.
