{"title":"Calvin Keys","description":"\u003cp\u003eJazz guitarist Calvin Keys is a legend among soul-jazz fans for his appearances as a session and touring musician and a catalog of releases under his own name. His 1971 Black Jazz debut, Shawn-Neeq, and his sophomore outing for the label, 1974's Proceed with Caution, are both considered jazz-funk classics. Keys' playing style is lean and muscular. His unique phrasing balances sophisticated jazz harmonics with funky R\u0026amp;B and soul grooves. Since the 1960s, Keys has worked as a session and touring player with Ahmad Jamal and others. His own recordings, including 1985's Full Court Press, 2001's Detours Into Unconscious Rhythms, and 2013's Electric Keys have all been celebrated in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The star-studded Blue Keys, followed in 2022 and included saxophonist Gary Bartz, trombonist Steve Turre, and bassist Henry Franklin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeys was born in 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska. His first musical influence was his father Otis, a well-known drummer on the city's music scene. He passed the music bug on to Calvin, who picked up the guitar early. Keys eventually landed his first notable gig as a member of Eddie \"Cleanhead\" Vinson's band when he was 17. He first hit the road with sax player Little Walkin' Willie that same year before moving to Kansas City. There, his first gigs were with Preston Love (of the Count Basie Orchestra) and later the Frank Edwards Organ Trio. After woodshedding with Edwards, he landed a spot in organist Jimmy Smith's road trio. After leaving Smith, Keys worked for the rest of the '60s with Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, and Richard \"Groove\" Holmes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeys moved to Los Angeles in 1970. In 1971, he signed to Gene Russell's fledgling Black Jazz label and cut his debut album, the now-legendary Shawn-Neeq. He gigged on his own before auditioning for the Ray Charles Orchestra. Keys' unique phrasing and his ability to balance sophisticated jazz harmonics with tough R\u0026amp;B and soul grooves were showcased nightly in the Charles band. In 1973, Black Jazz released Keys' second offering, Proceed with Caution. He did session work for the label, and played on Russell's Talk to My Lady and Doug Carn's seminal Adam's Apple. He toured in support of Proceed with Caution before relocating to San Francisco in 1975 and focusing on live and session work. He played on Billy Brooks' jazz-funk classic Windows of the Mind before joining Ahmad Jamal's group in late 1975 and remaining until 1980. Keys recorded six albums with the pianist, beginning with Genetic Walk and 1976's Live at Oil Can Harry's following important creative shifts in the pianist's creative direction on albums such as Steppin' Out with a Dream, Intervals, One, and Night Song (the latter for Motown).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen not touring with Jamal, Keys worked in live settings and recorded sessions with luminaries John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Marshall, Leon Williams, Bob Braye, Ed Kelly, Eddie Duran, Bruce Forman, Junius Simmons, and Eddie Moore. In 1976, he also played on Doug and Jean Carn's Ovation album Higher Ground. In 1977, Keys released Criss Cross for Ovation. Produced by Russell, his sidemen on the date included pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Henry Franklin, drummer Leon Ndugu Chancler, and trumpeter Oscar Brashear. He also cut One and Night Song with Jamal to close out the decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1980s proved similarly fruitful for Keys. He was a first-call studio and live sideman. He amassed credits and touring bona fides with Tony Bennett, Pharoah Sanders, and Sonny Stitt. Keys began recording another solo album in 1984. In 1985, Olive Branch Records released tracks from these sessions entitled Full Court Press, and followed it a year later with the remainder of the material on the album Maria's First.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeys continued playing sessions and performing with touring acts in the Bay Area as well as the occasional Los Angeles gig. In 1991 he was part of the studio band that recorded film composer James Newton Howard's original score for the film Dying Young. Working with his own trio, Keys released Standard Keys on Lifeforce Records in 1992, and his session and live work continued at a relentless pace. He settled down in the Bay area and played his own trio gigs for several years. He did make a tour of Europe that resulted in Jamal's Live in Paris 1996. An Evening with Calvin Keys, taken from a radio broadcast, was released that same year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe was sidelined in 1997 by heart surgery, undergoing a quadruple bypass. Undaunted, he released the widely acclaimed Detours Into Unconscious Rhythms on Wide Hive Records. The large cast included organist Chester Thompson (Ray Charles, Santana) and upright bassist Kenneth Nash (from Jamal's band). After the album's release, Keys toured regionally in the U.S. and in Europe before returning to the Bay Area, where he performed with organists Big John Patton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Taj Mahal. In 2005 Keys recorded Calvinesque for Silverado. The album hit number 30 on the European jazz charts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis second Wide Hive release, Vertical Clearance, was issued in 2006. It reunited Keys with Carn, and included Phil Ranelin, Sonny Fortune, Roger Glenn, and Babatunde in its lineup. In 2007 Keys released Hand-Made Portrait on Silverado, and received a tribute from fellow Midwesterner -- and fan -- Pat Metheny, who composed and included the tune \"Calvin's Keys\" on his album Day Trip. Keys appeared on Ranelin's Living a New Day for Wide Hive and on organist Gloria Coleman's Sweet Missy for Doodlin in 2009. In 2012 Tompkins Square Records re-released Shaw-Neeq exclusively on vinyl. Keys supported it by touring with a band, performing the album in its entirety. In 2018, he released the single \"Nigerian Marketplace\" with his own quartet, and the following year he played on Marty Krystall's Liquid Krystal Displayed with bassist Buell Neidlinger and drummer Peter Erskine. In 2021, Shawn-Neeq appeared again in Real Gone Music's ambitious Black Jazz catalog reissue program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn August 2022, Wide Hive released Blue Keys, a star-studded sextet date. Its lineup included bassist and former Black Jazz labelmate Henry Franklin, saxophonist Gary Bartz, trombonist Steve Turre, and conguero Babatunde Lea. The set was produced by Throttle Elevator Music's Gregory Howe. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"calvin-keys-full-court-press-rsd-4-23-2022","title":"Calvin Keys | Full Court Press (LP, Indie Exclusive Limited Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eJazz guitarist Calvin Keys is a legend among soul-jazz-funk fans for both his work as a session\/ touring musician and for the catalog of classic releases under his own name. Key’s playing style is lean and muscular, and his unique phrasing balances sophisticated jazz harmonics with funky R\u0026amp;B and soul grooves. Since the 1960s Calvin Keys has performed\/recorded with renowned artists such as Ahmad Jamal, Ray Charles, Pharoah Sanders and Joe Henderson. He is also a mentor to young talent, offers private lessons, and is a frequent teacher at the yearly happening ‘Jazz Camp West’.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eCalvin Keys was born in 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska. His first musical influence was his father Otis, a well-known drummer in the city's music scene…he passed the music bug on to Calvin, who picked up the guitar early. Keys landed his first notable gig as a member of Eddie \"Cleanhead\" Vinson's band when he was 17 and then went on to play with Preston Love (of the Count Basie Orchestra). Later on, he would also join The Jimmy Smith Trio and then worked through the rest of the 1960s with legends such as Jimmy McGriff, Richard \"Groove\" Holmes and Brother Jack McDuff.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eAfter moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, he signed to Gene Russell's now-legendary Black Jazz label where he cut his first two albums: Shawn-Neeq (1971) and Proceed with Caution (1974). Next to his own output on Black Jazz Records, Calvin Keys also did session work for the label and played on several of its hit records. At this point in time Keys also auditioned for the Ray Charles Orchestra…his unique phrasing and his ability to balance sophisticated jazz harmonics with tough R\u0026amp;B and soul grooves were showcased nightly in Charles’ band. Before relocating to San Francisco in 1975, he also played on Billy Brooks' jazz-funk classic ‘Windows of the Mind’ (1974) and focused on more live and session work. Keys then joined Ahmad Jamal's group and spent close to a decade with the pianist, touring the globe and recording six albums with him.\u2028The 1980’s and 1990’s also proved similarly fruitful for Calvin Keys…he was a ‘first-call’ studio \u0026amp; live sideman and amassed massive credits for touring with all-stars from the likes of Tony Bennett, Pharoah Sanders and Sonny Stitt. He released two more fantastic solo albums: Full Court Press (1985) \u0026amp; Maria’s First (1985), this time on Olive Branch Records. In 1991 he was featured on the recordings for the original score of the film ‘Dying Young’ composed by James Newton Howard. Next to all of this, his session and live work with his own trio continued at a relentless pace. He settled down in the Bay area and played a multitude of gigs throughout the 1990’s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eAfter being sidelined in 1997 by heart surgery, Calvin Keys entered the new millennium with a bang! He released five widely acclaimed Jazz-charting albums and worked with major players from the likes of Taj Mahal (Santana, Miles Davis), Chester Thompson (Tower Of Power), Big John Patton (Blue Note), Phil Ranelin (Tribe), Sonny Fortune (Roy Ayers, Strata East), Buell Neidlinger (Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones), Peter Erskine (Joni Mitchell, Weather Report) and Lonnie Smith. There’s no such thing as ‘slowing down’ for Mr. Keys!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eOn Full Court Press, you’ll find seven sublime tracks recorded in 1984 and released in 1985 on the Olive Branch label. This was Calvin Keys’ first solo album since his recordings for Black Jazz Records back in the 1970’s. Full Court Press features an impressive arsenal of working road dogs that Keys had shared the stage with over the years. Included are: Maxayn Lewis (The Ikettes, Morris Day), Mike Thompson (Freddie Hubbard), James Gadson (Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock), Donny Beck (Buddy Miles, Bobby Lyle)…and many others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eFull Court Press is THE dictionary definition of smooth (yet funky) soul-jazz, with washes of warm, laid back grooves pinned under Keys’ endless dancing up and down the fretboard. The playing is ‘deep in the pocket’ and comes off elegant and effortless. Fluid rhythmic fingerpicking that makes you forget all about time and space. This essential release deserves a prominent place in your record collection!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eTidal Waves Music now proudly presents the FIRST ever vinyl reissue of Full Court Press (originally released on Olive Branch Records in 1985). This rare record (vintage copies are not easy to come by) now comes as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition, strictly limited to 1500 copies worldwide, with obi strip and features the original artwork by John Heard (Azar Lawrence, Count Basie) \u0026amp; sleeve notes by Sherman Ferguson (Pharoah Sanders Quartet). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eA1        You Are All I Need\u003cbr\u003e\r\nA2        Bus Scene\u003cbr\u003e\r\nA3        Growing Pains\u003cbr\u003e\r\nA4        Love In Your Eyes\u003cbr\u003e\r\nB1        Touch\u003cbr\u003e\r\nB2        Dantu\u003cbr\u003e\r\nB3        Full Court Press\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003e*Audio and\/or tracklist may vary slightly from the vinyl version.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:12px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\"\u003eLabel: Tidal Waves Music\u003cbr\u003e\r\nRel. Date: 06\/18\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\r\nUPC: 735202315408\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"152\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/7Kt37IoxeJo3J5O0GyIKcR?utm_source=generator\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat Detail: LP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenre: Jazz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: Vinyl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleased: 06\/18\/2022\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Calvin Keys","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44582374441193,"sku":"M4802G-X1IO-00","price":30.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/3523\/8633\/files\/calvin-keys-full-court-press-lp-indie-exclusive-limited-edition_K2xFp.png?v=1746511196"},{"product_id":"shawn-neeq-blue-w-black-swirl-vinyl","title":"Shawn-Neeq (Blue W\/ Black Swirl Vinyl)","description":"\u003cp\u003eShawn-Neeq (Blue W\/ Black Swirl Vinyl) is a Records \u0026amp; LPs from Calvin Keys\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleased: 03\/07\/2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenre: Jazz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: Vinyl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenre: Jazz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: Vinyl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleased: 2025-03-07\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Calvin Keys","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48424444035305,"sku":"9X9O5P-V7KF-67","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/3523\/8633\/files\/calvin-keys-shawn-neeq-blue-w-black-swirl-vinyl_2v8xo.jpg?v=1747673219"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/3523\/8633\/collections\/image_ec9d30d3-3ce3-4289-8b8b-28904016ebb9.webp?v=1746511470","url":"https:\/\/www.vibinvinyl.com\/collections\/calvin-keys.oembed","provider":"Vibin' Vinyl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}