Calvin Keys’ interest in music began while he was a young boy learning about the art form from his musician father, drummer Otis Keys. By 1971, Calvin had signed with the record label Black Jazz and performed with the Ray Charles Orchestra and Ahmad Jamal, among many others, as the featured guitarist. In 1975 he moved to the Bay Area from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. He then began to work with internationally recognized music legends from the Bay Area including John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Marshall, and Ed Kelly. He has toured the U.S. and Europe extensively and continues to frequently appear at local venues. He also mentors up and coming young musicians and offers private guitar lessons. He is a member of and teacher at the Oakland Public Conservatory and frequently teaches at Jazz Camp West. Keys has released 15 widely acclaimed albums and CDs including: Detours Into Unconscious Rhythms, Calvinesque, Vertical Clearance, Hand-Made Portrait, and Simply Calvin.