Tucked away in Del Ray a few houses from the farmers market is a century-old rental home that Jack Kilby transformed into a professional recording and production studio. Called Crab Shack Music, it is comfortable and welcoming, the way a home studio should be: professional but unpretentious. It is also a place where aspiring musicians take lessons and attend summer camps. Each year, Jack hosts Crab Shack Live in his backyard, a popular event that returned in June.

Building Crab Shack Music took years of hard work, but it was not the career path Jack’s parents envisioned for him. Like many parents, they encouraged him to pursue a stable profession and become a doctor. He attended the University of Virginia, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. As graduation approached, however, Jack realized he needed to follow his passion and pursue music full time.

After working as a lab technician in the UVA biology department for two years, he moved to New York City to earn a master’s degree in music from the Aaron Copland School of Music, graduating in 2015.

A product of the Alexandria City Public Schools band program from fourth grade through his senior year, Jack played trumpet, baritone and drums. Since then, he has added piano and guitar to his repertoire and now teaches all five instruments. During the past decade back in Alexandria, he estimates he has taught a couple hundred students, maintaining an annual roster of 20 to 25.

Jack is particularly proud of bringing a piece of the music industry to Del Ray by working with internationally recognized artists such as vocalist Sy Smith and saxophonist Langston Hughes II. The former headlined this year's Crab Shack Live (Hughes was scheduled to perform but was unable to make the rescheduled rain date) and both value Jack’s work as a recording professional.

In 2023, he began recording the live performances. The first album, Crab Shack Live, Vol. 1: Hot Mess Trio, was released in May and is also available on vinyl. During this year’s event, Jack surprised the audience by announcing CSL, Vol. 2: The Shack Celebrates Billie Eilish. CSL, Vol. 3: Dante’ Pope followed in July, with more releases planned. In roughly eight years, Jack has accumulated more than 50 recording credits. His website, crabshackmusic.com, showcases many of the projects produced in his Del Ray studio.

Among those projects was his own band’s double album, Love Is a Song Anyone Can Sing, Vol. 1 & 2, which earned back-to-back Wammie Awards for Best Jazz Album in 2019 and 2020. The release climbed to No. 2 on the RMR and NACC radio charts, trailing only Willie Nelson.

Jack’s influence extends beyond Del Ray. He also leads his band in a monthly jam session at the legendary Miller’s restaurant in Charlottesville, Virginia. Keep your eyes and ears open for the next performance from Del Ray’s own Jack Kilby, who continues to make music on his own terms.