The late, great Calvin Keys’ 1971 debut album for the Black Jazz Records label heralded the arrival of a new star in the jazz guitar firmament. Keys had accompanied the crème de la crème of jazz organists in the 60s – Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, Richard “Groove” Holmes – but for his first record as a bandleader, he wanted to play with a pianist. So he recruited one of the best – Larry Nash, who was not only a member of the L.A. Express, but had played with everyone from Eddie Harris to Bill Withers to Etta James. Bassist Lawrence Evans, drummer Bob Braye and flutist and songwriter Owen Marshall rounded out the group on Shawn-Neeq, which might remind some of Pat Metheny’s early work (Metheny admits Keys as an influence) or Grant Green. But what gives Shawn-Neeq a special depth is that it comes from the heart; as Keys says in Pat Thomas’ liner notes, which include an interview with the artist, “I’m writing about some of the experiences I’ve had in my life.” Keys became a fixture on the Bay Area jazz scene before he passed away in April 2024; this album was the beginning of his journey. Another gem from the acclaimed Black Jazz catalog, pressed in blue vinyl with black swirls, limited to 750 copies!
