About Me
Saxophonist and composer Keith Pray is a native of Upstate NY. Keith began his study of the saxophone in 1988 at age 15, and had his first professional performance one year later. Since then, Keith has traveled from the West Coast to Europe playing with hundreds of gifted musicians, including some of the giants of the business: Paul Anka, Benny Golson, The Temptations, Ray Vega, Mark Vinci and Ralph Lalama. For the last 7 years, he has resided and preformed in New York City and played with artists from multiple disciplines including R&B, Jazz, Latin and Big Band.Keith has taken the Citys eclectic culture and infused it into his original performances and compositions. This blend is also heard and felt as he teaches individuals or as he holds clinics at all levels including High School and College. Whether one hears Keith perform or learns from him, his love for music and respect for the different genres is loud and true.His unique style and talent has allowed him to perform and record across the spectrum of todays music. Having worked on dozens of recordings he was honored to be a featured soloist on the Grammy Nominated Entres Amigos by Alex Torres and the Latin Kings. Keiths style can be attributed to the influences from the greats deep in the Jazz tradition, including Cannonball Adderly, Lockjaw Davis, Maceo Parker, Earl Bostic, Johnny Hodges, Willis Jackson and Jackie Mclean.Keith was also seen on ABCs Good Morning America and The View and Food Networks Food Nation. Other performances of note include The Newport Jazz Festival, 103.1 Smooth Jazz Festival, Albanys Tulip Festival, Larkfest, Fleet Blues Fest as well as a featured artist at A Place for Jazz and the Musicians for Peace concert series.In 2001, Keith released his first recording, Rhythm of the Blues. Fans and appreciative listeners have said: Keith has the soul and energy of a young Cannonball Adderly and Keith always makes us feel good when we hear him and Keith is the only saxophonist I have heard that smiles through his music.His second recording, C.D.s Delight was recorded during his performance at A Place for Jazz. Present at that night a listener said: you can feel the energy his live performance come through the notes and seep into your soul
With a third recording One Last Stop about to be released, Keith is constantly honing his craft through study, practice and by experimenting with new ideas on the bandstand. Currently, Keith is performing throughout the North Eastern United States with his latest project, which is an organ and sax driven band playing original music by Keith.Honors and accolades follow Keith: of note are the ASCAP Louis Armstrong Award and the Essex County Performing Arts Award. Keith is also a member of Local 802 Musicians Union, BMI and the International Association of Jazz Educators.
