Album Notes

Al McKenzie’s musical endeavors are as diverse as his musical interest, from conducting the Buffalo Symphony, to serving on the Entertainment task force for the City of Detroit, to playing for the children’s choir at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in his hometown of Detroit Michigan. Al has always been unafraid to meet the challenges of his demanding music menu. His tools come honestly with teachers such as: Charles Coleman, Arthur Labrew, Earl Van Dyke, Ernie Rodgers and the great Teddy Harris Jr. After winning several awards in high school it was a natural progression for Al to attend Interlochen School of music. By the time Al was 20 years old, he played or recorded with an array of world-renowned artist such as Martha Reeves, O.C.Smith, Esther Phillips and Marlena Shaw to name a few. Al's career continued to blossom as the world opened up for him. He first toured with Martha Reeves as her Music Director at age 18, subsequent to which Al’s credits/endeavors read like the who’s who of music: The Spinners, The 4 Tops, Mary Wilson, Penny Wells, The Supremes, The Contours, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Holiday, Kim Weston, Anita Baker just to name a few. His quest for new opportunities awarded him the opportunity to become the Music Director for Motown Record’s crown jewel The Temptations. Four albums, two gold records, one platinum album and a Grammy later, Al found his calling in starting AMAC Records and leading his own band. Since the release of his first full length CD “Is it love”, Al has signed wonderful talent from all over the world: Penny Wells (U.S.), Joan Crawford (U.S.), Charmaine Elliot (London), Larry Crockett (Paris) are all meeting their fans with critical acclaim. Currently Al is promoting his newest full length CD, “A Reason To Be”, which is filled with his smooth mature sound that his listeners have come to love. “A Reason To Be” includes a variety of selections where Al’s piano screams with passion on original compositions such as Sparkle, Angel as well as a Latin flavored rendition of Grover Washington’s Mister Magic. To know Al is to love him. To see him perform is to witness true passion and abandon. Join in the journey, the voyage, the experience of Al McKenzie.