Calvin Keys

Guitarist Calvin Keys was a legend among soul-jazz fans for his appearances as a session musician, a small catalog of releases under his own name, and his lean, muscular, single-string solo style, unique phrasing, and the ability to balance sophisticated jazz harmonics with tough R&B and soul grooves. He spent 1975 through 1980 with Ahmad Jamal, appearing on classics such as Live at Oil Can Harry's, Intervals, and Night Song. Keys issued Shawn-Neeq, his own 1971 debut, and 1973's Proceed with Caution for Black Jazz. Following dates for Olive Branch, he signed with Wide Hive for 2001's Detours Into Unconscious Rhythms. Vertical Clearance followed in 2006, Electric Keys appeared in 2013, and the star-studded Blue Keys was released in 2022.