Album Notes

Wil Key Band Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Wil Key, has been producing his unique and soulful brand of contemporary R&B music for many years now. This talented artist and producer from Kentucky has written for, recorded and produced some of the finest musical acts in the nation. He has worked with Def Jam recording artists Playa, whose subsequent debut album was produced by Timbaland and features Missy Elliot and the late Aaliyah among others. He has also worked extensively with former Jive recording artists LA Ganz, with whom he attended the High School of The Performing Arts as a Theater and Music major. The group recorded fifteen tracks for the label, four of which went on to be included on Major-Motion-Picture soundtracks including Booty Call, Phat Beach and The Long Kiss Good Night. In addition to co-sequencing the LA Ganz song "Count On Me," which is featured on the soundtrack for the New Line Cinema release Dangerous Ground (Ice Cube), Wil also performs the piano solo. With the independent release of this debut album entitled "Gypsy," Wil showcases his considerable musical abilities -writing, recording and performing all of the music from start to finish. His sincere and rhapsodic voice, his deeply sensitive touch at the keyboard and his blossoming, Vaughn-tinged guitar work combine with a refreshing lyrical approach to composition that is reminiscent, but not imitative of innovators like Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis. Although the CD has a strong R & B vibe, Wil's formal jazz piano training (Howard University) and diverse musical influences, including Prince, Joni Mitchell , and Bob Marley can also be heard throughout the ambitious twelve-song package. He is currently performing this and other original material with his five-piece ensemble, Wil Key Band, at a variety of live venues and music festivals in the Rocky Mountain region. As we speak, Wil in the studio finalizing his latest CD entitled "Satisfy My Soul," and has assembled a rich assortment of talented musicians and artists to appear on the 15-song release. A refreshing mixture of Jazz, R&B/Neo-Soul, Rock and Poetry, The CD will include special guests Bijoux Barbosa (bass), Betsy Ruckard (vocals), Mark Harris (sax), Light (spoken word), Anthony Waker (guitar), Maritri Garrett (vocals, cello), James Brandon Lewis (sax) and many others. For this CD, Wil has also been working with 5-time grammy winning engineer Ryan West (Jay-Z, Beyonce, T.I. , Jon Secada, Rashann Patterson) from New York City. West is currently mixing songs for the project at his private studio in Manhattan and will be recording a special guest artist from Brooklyn for the project later this month. Although he has many years of writing and performing experience under his belt, he says "I feel as though this is just the beginning, I have many stories to make!"