Bio

Motown Moe, born Kevin Maurice Dingle, is a gifted smooth jazz producer, arranger, and pianist whose artistry reflects both his Detroit roots and a lifelong devotion to music. His story is a journey of discipline, discovery, and dreams fulfilled proof that passion, even when paused, always finds its way back to the surface.

 

The name Motown Moe carries a legacy within it: “Motown” honors his hometown of Detroit—forever the heartbeat of American soul and R&B—while “Moe” comes from his middle name, Maurice. Together, it’s more than a moniker; it’s a living tribute to the city that raised him and the music that shaped him. Detroit, too often framed in the shadows of struggle, gave Moe a childhood filled with rhythm, resilience, and inspiration. Legendary WJZZ radio became his classroom, where he first encountered the transformative sounds of Tom Scott and the LA Express. From Ronnie Laws to MFSB, from the lush orchestrations of Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound studio to the instrumental brilliance of the ’70s, jazz consumed his spirit and awakened a creative fire.

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Though sports claimed his early focus football, boxing, and track Moe never strayed too far from melody. During his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force, he rediscovered music with a modest Casio keyboard, planting the seeds of a second act he didn’t yet know was coming. Following his military career, Moe returned to Detroit, working in steel mills and auto assembly lines, all while carrying a quiet determination to create. That determination became destiny. Through study, persistence, and mentorship, Moe refined his production skills learning the intricacies of EQ, compression, and reverb until he could sculpt music with precision and artistry. A pivotal connection with producer/pianist Nate Harasim deepened his understanding of the technical side of music-making, and from there, Moe began collaborating with some of smooth jazz’s most respected talents. His collaborations include guitarist Blake Aaron, bassist Darryl Williams, percussionist Curtis McCain, saxophonist Tony Craddock Jr., trumpeter Ryan Svendsen, guitarist Nils, and many more.

The result? A body of work that has earned Motown Moe national recognition, chart placements on the Smooth Jazz Top 40, spins across jazz radio, and even features on The Weather Channel. His albums—each a chapter in his evolving story—showcase not just technical growth but also an unwavering devotion to creating music that inspires, uplifts, and moves.

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Now based outside of Chicago, Motown Moe continues to expand his artistry. His latest project, “Reaching New Heights” (2025), is a bold statement of vision and sound, blending his signature smooth jazz stylings with a forward-thinking edge. Beyond his own work, Moe is passionate about producing, mixing, and mastering for both established and emerging artists always with the same dedication that turned his own journey into a testament of possibility.

Motown Moe is not just a musician; he is a builder of soundscapes, a bridge between eras of jazz, and a reminder that Detroit’s legacy is alive and thriving through every note he plays.

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