Kevin Toney

Kevin Toney is an American pianist and composer, known as an original member of The Blackbyrds and now is a solo artist and performer.

Biography

Toney was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where he attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School. He was performing with the groundbreaking jazz-fusion group The Blackbyrds when he received his B.A. in Composition and Jazz Studies from Howard University. Seven albums were recorded with the group, three of which were certified gold. Many of their hit songs including "Rock Creek Park" and the Grammy nominated "Unfinished Business" were written by Toney.

In the years between the Blackbyrds and his subsequent career as a solo recording artist, Toney was a conductor and arranger for recording and performing artists including: James Ingram, Patti Austin, Michael McDonald, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Carl Anderson, Edwin Hawkins and Isaac Hayes. He also served as conductor and arranger for productions of: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Five Guys Named Moe, Sophisticated Ladies, Harlem Suite, Wild Women Blues (featuring Linda Hopkins) The Magic Of Motown: A Tribute To Barry Gordy and Atlanta. He has also recorded and/or performed with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Annie Lennox, Shirley Caesar, Ray Charles, Ray Parker Jr., Pink, Kenny Burrell, Nancy Wilson and O.C. Smith to name a few.

Although Toney released his first solo recording, Special K, in 1982, his career as a solo artist really began to take off in 1994 with the release of Lovescape, which yielded two major smooth jazz radio hits in "Kings" and "Aphrodisiac". His follow-up was the 1995 release of Pastel Mood, which featured Carl Anderson, and subsequent releases of: Extra Sensual Perception, Strut, Sweet Spot, 110 Degrees and Rising and Retrospectives, which was released in 2006. The 2002 Winter Olympic Committee selected the Strut CD as part of its official music. Toney’s collaboration with Unwrapped producer Tony Joseph on the compilation Def Jazz, a smooth jazz interpretation of rap classics, was released in 2005 on Def Jam Records.

Toney’s current project titled A Grateful Heart is his first solo piano recording. Toney recently released the Kevin Toney Collection Volume 1, which includes 24 of his most popular recorded compositions, and scored a full length feature film titled Kings of the Evening.

Reception

Urban Network says “Kevin Toney has proven himself to be among the most masterful and versatile keyboardist of his generation, playing with a technical proficiency that is at the absolute peak of the contemporary jazz game.” Billboard Magazine notes “Toney's piano skills and ear for melody set him apart from the pack and make him enjoyable and engaging."

Discography

Solo

• Special K (1982)
• Lovescape (1994)
• Pastel Mood (1995)
• Extra Sensual Perception (1999)
• Strut (2001)
• Sweet Spot (2003)
• 110 Degrees and Rising (2005)
• Retrospectives (2006)
• A Grateful Heart (2008)

With Blackbyrds

• Blackbyrds (Fantasy, 1973)
• Flying Start (Fantasy, 1974)
• Cornbread, Earl and Me (Fantasy, 1975)
• City Life (Fantasy, 1976) (RIAA Gold LP)
• Unfinished Business (Fantasy, 1977) (RIAA Gold LP)
• Action (Fantasy, 1978) (RIAA Gold LP)
• Better Days (Fantasy, 1981)

With various artist

• Live at Montreux — Bobbi Humphrey (Blue Note, 1973)
• Live at Montreux — Alphonse Mouzon (Blue Note, 1973)
• Live at Montreux — Marlena Shaw (Blue Note, 1973)
• Places and Spaces — Donald Byrd (Blue Note, 1976)
• Caricatures — Donald Byrd (Blue Note, 1977)
• "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" — Sylvester (Honey/Fantasy, 1979)
• Scratch My Back — David “Fathead” Newman (Fantasy, 1979)
• Sharon Redd — Sharon Redd (1980)
• You Can Call It What You Want — Bill Summers and Summers Heat (MCA, 1981)
• We Call It the Box — Bill Summers and Summers Heat (MCA, 1983)
• Soul Jazz — Rahmlee Michael Davis (1986)
• After Midnight — Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista, 1987)
• Piano in the Dark — Brenda Russell (A & M, 1987)
• Midnite Blue — Phil Upchurch (KICJ [import],1991)
• Joyful Noise — Chester Thompson (Rhino, 1992)
• Get the Feeling — Two Tons: Martha Wash/Azora Armstead (Fantasy, 1993)
• Unforgettable Sax — Hugh Brodie (1994)
• Duets — Paul Jackson, Jr. (Blue Note, 1996)
• Love Letters — Craig T. Cooper (Sin Drome, 1996)
• Street Sax — Chazzy Green (1999)
• Life Changes — Doc Powell (Sampson, 2001)
• Nu Life Stories — Dave McMurray (Hip Bop, 2003)
• The House Of Urban Grooves — Various artists (Peak, 2004)
• Def Jazz — Various artists (Verve, 2005)
• Full Circle — Andre Delano (7th Note, 2005)
• Live at the Funk Lounge — Val Watson (2005)
• I'm Free — Ray Parker, Jr. (Raydio Music, 2006)

As producer

• Send It On Down WHHB Records 1985
• Love In Motion Uotahum 2000 (Jeanne Tatum)
• "Satin Doll" Smooth Jazz Shanachie 2001 Plays Duke Ellington (Various Artist)
• C-Note Liquid 8 2003 (Reggie C)

Soundtracks

• Cornbread Earl and Me Fantasy 1975
• Armed and Dangerous Columbia 1986 (Michael Henderson)

With Andrew White

1. Passion Flower AM-5 1973
2. Songs For A French Lady AM-6 1974
3. Theme AM-7 1975
4. Live At The Foolery (Vol I) AM-8 1975
5. Live At The Foolery (Vol II) AM-9 1975
6. Live At The Foolery (Vol III) AM-10 1975
7. Collage AM-14 1975
8. Marathon (Vol VI) AM-20 1976
9. Marathon (Vol VII) AM-21 1976
10. Marathon (Vol VIII) AM-22 1976
11. Marathon (Vol XI) AM-23 1976
12. Fonk Update AM-37 1979
13. I Love Japan AM-38 1979
14. Have Band Will Travel AM-39 1979

External links

• www.kevintoney.com
• Template:Amg
• Smoothjazznow.com Interview