About Keyan
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Keyan Williams now makes his home in Phoenix, Arizona. Keyan started playing the sax at age 8 and by the age of 16 he was playing Jazz Sax and Classical Flute. Keyan has never been shy to play for crowds. Many fans of his music have said that his style reminds them of Grover Washington Jr., and he is very humbled by their compliments. Grover Washington Jr., musically influenced Keyan, along with many other jazz artists like: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery and Stanley Clarke.
Keyan released his new CD, “The Art of Living”. The CD is a groove filled production that is reminiscent of the kind of music Grover made. Keyan says, “Grover Washington Jr. is one of my favorite musicians. He
would give you a great show with three hours of non-stop playing. I wanted to keep that kind of drive alive. It’s music with really strong grooves, to get back to what I call the original smooth jazz sound. I think I’ve done that with this album”.
When it comes to live performances, Keyan plays from the heart and you’ll never hear him play a solo the same way twice. He has been gracing the stage since his very early years, playing at various venues like Carnegie
Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. Keyan has had the honor of sharing the stage with Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, and Junior Cook. These experiences helped make him the performer he is today.
Keyan’s charity of choice is the Arizona chapter of the American Diabetes Association. This charity is close to Keyan’s heart given that he has lost his Grandfather and more recently, a wonderful Aunt to this terrible disease.
Recent Live Performances:
San Jose Jazz Festival
San Jose California
Maxwell\'s Lounge
Oakland California
United Center - Chicago Bulls
Chicago IL
ABC7 Chicago
Chicago IL
Verrado Jazz Fest
Buckeye Arizona
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Festival
Tucson Arizona
Orozko Lounge/John Ascuagus Nugget Casino
Reno, Nevada
Phoenix Flame Basket ball Game
Phoenix, Arizona
News Channel 3 TV, Good Morning Arizona
Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce
9th Annual Golf Tournament
Ocotillo Golf Resort
In The Media
United Center- Chicago Bulls - Performed National Anthem
Keyan was featured in the October 2006 ABYSS Jazz Magazine.
Keyan was featured as the Indie-Music Artist with Indie-Music.com January 18th, 2007 with 88.1 FM at Fisk
University in Nashville, TN
April 11th, 2007 with 92.1 FM Smooth Jazz Reno Nevada
Airplay
Terrestrial Radio:
88.1 WFSK FM, 99.5 FM WSUR, KCCK FM, WSIE 88.7FM, KJZS 92.1 FM,WHCR 90.3FM, KUNV 91.5 FM, WEIB 106.3 FM
TV- Cable:
Keyan’s music can be heard on “Your Local on the 8’s with The Weather Channel” at www.weather.com
News Channel 3 TV, Good Morning Arizona
Internet Radio:
Fredio Radio www.fredio.com/index.php?stationid=1&genre=Jazz
New Artist Radio www.newartistradio.com/members/members/396/
Live 365 www.live365.com/stations/cruisenjazz
E- Radio Biz www.e-radiobiz.com/default.asp?artid=157
Artist First www.artistfirst.com/(Switzerland)
Smooth Vibes www.smoothvibes.com/swissgroove.html
Atlanta Blue Sky www.atlantabluesky.com(Jazz Colors)
Radio Jazz Plus www.radiojazzplus.com/
Radio Zenwaw www.radio.zenwaw.com/
Echo Radio www.echosmoothjazz.com/
Reviews
“Oh my... Excellent! Keyan has such a CRISP horn. Kind of like Grover Washington, but with his own sound. And for sure, it won’t be long before his fans are able to distinguish style. Definitely, one of the best new smooth
jazz artists I have heard this year.”
–Rachelle Bivins, Abyss Jazz Magazine
“The title track on the new release The Art of Living makes me feel a little homesick. This song reminds me a lot of my time in New York and riding down the Major Deegan Expressway in the back seat as a child. My
dad played mostly soft jazz tunes while driving and I got a
kick out of watching the buildings go by while listening
to the music. The saxophone is obviously the main
instrument in this song, and it has a nice presence.
It doesn’t overpower the rest of the instruments
and what was played sounds really nice. Overall, a
very cool song. I’m going to call my parents now.”
-Jacob Dixon from Pratteln, Switzerland
“The Art of Living” song has excellent bass and
the rhythm is very groovy. The drumming is
good; it flows along with the song smoothly.
The best thing about this track is the saxophone;
it’s masterfully played without a flaw and it hooks you up big time. It has a very romantic feel to it and the melody manages to chill you out. I like the way piano is introduced;it really enhances the mood of this track. BRILLIANCE!”
- Morris Plains
UPCOMING FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES:
Maxwell\'s Lounge - September 26th, 2008
Oakland, California
The ANNEX NYC - October 5th, 2008
New York, NY
Luke Air force Base w/Comedian Kyle - October 24th, 2008
Luke Airforce Base Arizona
Sugar Bar - Ashford and Simpson - October 25th, 2008
New York, NY
Mesa Center for Arts - November 22nd, 2008
Mesa Arizona
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