Dave Keyes

Biography

Dave Keyes is a native New Yorker and accomplished keyboardist, singer, and songwriter who has been a prominent figure in the blues and American roots music scenes for over 40 years.[1][2] Beginning his musical journey in the 5th grade when he first learned to improvise on a 12-bar blues,[2] Keyes developed a deep connection to blues music that would define his career. He describes the blues as the foundation of all music, comparing it to the roots of a tree from which all other genres branch off.[2] Throughout his extensive career, Keyes has worked both as a solo artist and bandleader with his Dave Keyes Band, earning multiple Blues Music Award nominations and winning the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge.[1][2]

Keyes' musical style encompasses a wide range of influences spanning blues, boogie, gospel, rock and roll, and soul.[1][2] His songbook reflects diverse inspirations from Ray Charles to Leon Russell, and his original compositions range from New Orleans second-line funk to slow sensual blues and swaggering shuffles.[1][4] Beyond his work as a performer and recording artist with seven albums to his name,[2] Keyes has maintained a significant presence in Broadway and television, serving as conductor for the six-year Broadway run of the Grammy-winning musical "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and music directing productions including "Rock and Roll Man" based on the life of DJ Alan Freed.[1]

Keyes' legacy is defined by his versatility and longevity as both a bandleader and sideman, having collaborated with an impressive roster of blues, roots, and rock and roll legends. His work has taken him across the globe, with festival appearances in the United States and Europe, including multiple performances at France's prestigious Cognac Blues Festival and annual appearances at Lugano, Switzerland's Blues to Bop Festival.[1] His commitment to staying true to his artistic voice while respecting the blues tradition has made him a respected figure in the contemporary blues and roots music community.[2]

Fun Facts

• Keyes served as conductor for over 600 performances during the six-year Broadway run of the Grammy-winning musical 'Smokey Joe's Cafe,' and also sang and played on the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack album.[1][4]
• He has headlined festivals in front of 10,000 people in Europe and has made multiple appearances at France's prestigious Cognac Blues Festival, establishing himself as an international blues ambassador.[1][3]
• The pivotal moment that changed Keyes' life was learning to improvise on a 12-bar blues in 5th grade, when 'something just clicked inside' and resonated as something he wanted to pursue further.[2]
• In addition to his music career, Keyes co-founded Crave Music with saxophonist Chris Eminizer, a company that creates underscoring and songs for television and film across genres ranging from emotional underscore to vintage R&R to contemporary alternative and indie rock.[4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ray Charles - Stylistic influence and musical inspiration (General musical philosophy and approach) [Career-long influence]
• Leon Russell - Stylistic influence and musical inspiration (General musical philosophy and approach) [Career-long influence]

Key Collaborators

• Popa Chubby - Frequent collaborator and touring partner (Various performances and recordings) [Last 10+ years]
• Ronnie Spector - Touring and performance collaborator (Live performances) [Until her recent passing]
• Bernard Purdie - Legendary drummer featured on recent albums (Rhythm, Blues and Boogie (2022), Two Trains) [2022-present]
• Bo Diddley - Extended touring and performance partnership (Various performances) [Career]
• David Johansen - Extended touring and performance partnership (Various performances) [Career]
• Odetta - Extended collaboration and sideman work (50th Anniversary McCabes concert at UCLA (2008), Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival performance) [Last decade of Odetta's career]
• Marie Knight - Gospel collaboration and performance partner (Chicago Blues Festival (2008), Cognac Blues Festival performances) [2000s-present]
• Sleepy LaBeef - Extended touring and performance partnership (Various performances) [Career]
• Eddy Clearwater - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Big Jay McNeely - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Tracy Nelson - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Gladys Knight - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Levon Helm - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Darlene Love - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Ruth Brown - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Lou Rawls - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Pam Tillis - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Chuck Berry - Sideman work (Various performances) [Career]
• Mark Sameth - Co-writer and collaborator (Two Trains album (ten co-written songs)) [Recent]
• Woody Mann - Acoustic guitar legend collaboration (Two Trains album) [Recent]
• Chris Eminizer - Saxophonist and business partner in Crave Music (Television and film underscoring, music composition) [Career]

External Links

• Spotify