Calvin Keys - Full Court Press

Jazz 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 & muscular and his unique phrasing balances sophisticated jazz harmonics with funky R&B & 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’.

Calvin 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 1960’s with legends such as Jimmy McGriff, Richard "Groove" Holmes and Brother Jack McDuff.