Wide Hive Records: Calvin Keys

Calvin Keys
Bio
Discography

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Jazz is freedom of expression - no boundaries. I play what I feel; people call it whatever they like.

Calvin Keys was born in Omaha in the early 40's, and got a taste for music at a young age. His father Otis was once described as Omaha's greatest natural drummer of the era, but it was Calvin's uncle who discovered his nephew's gift for guitar.

Early-on he auditioned and played with Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, and was mentored by bassist Gerald Holts. He discovered Earl Fatha Hines and Ahmad Jamal in his father's record collection; these legends he would later be handpicked to play behind. At age 17, he went on the road, traveling to St. Louis with sax player Little Walkin' Willie.

Calvin followed his father to Kansas City where his first gigs were with a blues trio. From there he moved up to a Big Band with Preston Love of the Count Basie Orchestra, and then onto Frank Edwards Organ Trio. That foundation led to work with one of the greatest organ trios of all time‚Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDufff and Groove Holmes.

In 1969, Keys headed for Los Angles to learn more about music and get a recording contract. In 1971, he cut his first album, Shawn Neeq on Gene Russell's new highly- acclaimed BLACKJAZZ label. Soon thereafter he was hired to record with Ray Charles. Keys toured Europe for the first time with the Ray Charles Big Band‚things were finally starting to happen for his career.

In 1973, BLACKJAZZ RELEASED his second album, Proceed With Caution. By this time he'd received his African name Ajafika. Appearing on the album cover in an African robe and holding a spear, Calvin was comfortable with his new identity which reflected his new musical direction. Shortly thereafter, Keys "got the call" from Ahmad Jamal. Keys spent almost seven years performing with Jamal, touring extensively and recording six albums.

By 1975, Keys had relocated in the San Francisco Bay Area. He became an avid participant in the local jazz community working with John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Marshall, Leon Williams Bob Braye, Ed Kelley, Eddie Duran, Bruce Forman, Junius Simons, Eddie Moore and others on a regular basis. In the 80’s Calvin played with big name players such as Sonny Stitt, Pharoah Saunders, Joe Henderson, and Tony Bennett when they hit town. By this time Keys realized he wanted to produce his own album. He used his earnings from another Ray Charles tour to fund the recording sessions; Olive Branch Records released it as Full Court Press in 1985. His followup album Maria's First features his newborn daughter Marela's first cries, overdubbed.

Working with his own trio, Calvin released Standard Keys on Lifeforce Records in 1992. The jazz revival in Japan and the U.K. resulted in the 1994 reissue of Keys' tune, "Aunt Lovey", introducing his name to a new, eager and appreciative international audience. After undergoing quadruple heart bypass surgery in 1997, Keys bounced back with a memorable debut on Wide Hive Records' Dissent. A year later Keys followed up with his widely-heralded Wide Hive album, Detours into Unconscious Rhythms. He has appeared most recently with Blue Note Records organist Big John Patten and Dr. Lonnie Smith and is reunited with Black Jazz com-patriot Doug Carr on Vertical Clearance, his second release for Wide Hive Records. Also featured are Phil Ranelin, Sonny Fortune, Babatunde and Variable Unit’s Matt Montgomery and Jacob Aginsky.

For interviews, photos, or more information about Wide Hive artists, please contact:
press@widehive.com - (415) 282-9433.

http://eastbayexpress.com/issues/2002-10-09/billboard.html/1/index.html