I love singing, studying metaphysics and everyOne on the planet! I moved to Paris when I was very young. My first gig was as a backup singer for a French rock 'n roll star. I soon found out where the jazz musicians were hanging out and became friends with Johnny Griffin, Mal Waldron and many others. After that -- rock 'n roll lost its appeal and I decided to go to the student center in order to begin rehearsing standards. I asked Mal to accompany me. At the time I didn't know that he was Billie Holiday's last accompanist. To me he was just a warm, friendly, fantastic, piano playing dude whose reply to my request was: "sure baby, how much time do you need?" Wow! When I found out who he really was I almost fainted....then we became friends forever. I returned to America and did many gigs at The Blue Note and other venues in New York City. I also worked in Japan and made several more trips to Europe working in France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. As a matter of fact I actually moved to Paris (again)and made it "home base" for a while.
As a child I was buying records by Lady Day and Nina Simone when all my friends were listening to Motown. I really enjoyed Motown but loved jazz!
Music is truly a gift and a bridge...and I am so happy to meet so many wonderful, creative people on this site!
Have a great week, more importantly have a peaceful, productive and properous New Year. By the way I love the message behind "Don't Get Scared" and "Mas Que Nada" has always been one of my favorites, it's one of those classics I want to cover myself someday,
Jeffrey McKinney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jwi27NbC58
www.myspace.com/jlgospel
www.myspace.com/jlmckinneyenterprisesmusic
Dec 18, 2009
Jeffrey McKinney
Jeff
Dec 21, 2009
Jeffrey McKinney
Jeff McKinney
Dec 28, 2009