Calvin Keys

Calvin Keys is an American jazz guitarist, known for the several albums he released for Black Jazz Records.

The Bay Area virtuoso guitarist is well known for his performances and recordings with greats such as Ray Charles, Ahmad Jamal, John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Marshall, Sonny Stitt, Pharaoh Sanders, Joe Henderson and Leon Williams.

Quotes

 * "Calvin is a natural. His playing is so deep in the pocket, it comes off elegant and effortless." - Mercury News
 * "At times, his fluid fingerpicking threatened to free itself completely from its rhythmic moorings and escape the building into the night sky." - East Bay Express
 * "This man can list such sterling greats as Ray Charles, Ahmad Jamal, Carmen McRae, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, Gloria Lynn, M.C. Hammer, Sonny Stitt, Tony Bennett and Luther Vandross as just a few of the folks he has performed and/or recorded with." - Pacifica Tribune

Discography
As Leader
 * Hand Made Portrait (Silverado Records, 2006)
 * Vertical Clearance (Wide Hive Records, 2006)
 * Calvinesque (Silverado Records, 2005)
 * An Evening With Calvin Keys (Life Force Jazz, 2003)
 * Detours: Into Unconscious Rhythms (Wide Hive Records, 2000)
 * Touch (Olive Branch Records, 2000)
 * Standard Keys (Life Force Jazz, 1997)
 * Maria's First (1987)
 * Full Court Press (Olive Branch Records, 1983)
 * Criss Cross (Ovation, Inc., 1977)
 * Proceed With Caution (Black Jazz Records, 1974)
 * Shawn Neeq (Black Jazz Records, 1973)

With Ahmad Jamal
 * A-Paris (Atlantic Records, 1996)
 * Night Song (Motown, 1980)
 * Intervals (20th Century Records, 1979)
 * One (20th Century Records, 1979)
 * Recorded Live at Oil Can Harry's (Catalyst Records, 1976)
 * Steppin Out With A Dream (20th Century Records, 1976)
 * Genetic Walk (20th Century Records, 1975)

With Other Artists
 * From My Heart, Guarneri Jazz Quartet (2003)
 * Chromatology, Upsurge (Abolition Media, 2003)
 * Marian Gurnere (2003)
 * Halad: The Offering, Robbie Kwock / Melicio Magdalayo Sextet (RKjazz, 2001)
 * The Jazz Professor, Bill Bell (Professor Records, 1999)
 * Life On Uranus, The Nova Ghost Sect-tet (A-Records, 1998)
 * I Ain't Doin' Too Bad, James Van Buren (Van Buren Records & Tapes, 1998)
 * Salty Pappa Blues, Denise Perrier (Concord Records, 1997)
 * I Wanna Be Loved, Denise Perrier (Chez Perrier, 1997)
 * Salty Pappa Blues, Denise Perrier (Concord Records, 1997)
 * Forever Love, Ricardo Scales (1996)
 * Badfoot Bill & The Bunions Marching Band, Bill Cosby (1972)

Compilations
 * In Celebration Of Life (American-Italian Cancer Foundation, 2003)
 * Hear Music Volume 7, Track: "Walking" (Hear Music, 2002)
 * LifeForce Records Compilation, Calvin Keys Quartet (Life Force Jazz)