Keyan Williams plays FORESTONE reeds

"As a professional musician for many years, I’ve have tried many different brands of reeds.  I have found that most synthetic reeds don’t generate a natural sound nor do they have the natural vibration that wood cane does, until now…

A mixture of Polypropylene resin and cellulose wood fibre as described on the website has made all the difference.

Forestone reeds play and vibrate like a cane reed but, with the consistency and longevity of a synthetic reed.

Forestone is definitely the best synthetic reed I’ve played on.  If you’re looking for a synthetic reed with all the characteristics of wood, give Forestone a try." 

AboutKeyan

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Keyan Williams now makes his home in Brook- lyn, New York after many years in Phoenix, AZ. Keyan started playing the sax at age 8 and by the age of 16 he was playing Jazz Sax and Classical Flute. Keyan has never been shy to play for crowds. Many fans of his music have said that his style reminds them of Grover Washington Jr., and he is very humbled by their compliments. Grover Washing- ton Jr., musically influenced Keyan, along with many other jazz artists like: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery and Stanley Clarke.

Keyan’s debut CD,“The Art of Living” was released in 2006. His highly anticipated follow-up, “Blazing” will be hitting the contemporary Jazz scene in early 2010. Keyan’s music is a groove filled production that is reminiscent of the kind of music Grover made. Keyan says, “Grover Washington Jr. is one of my favorite musicians. He would give you a great show with three hours of non-stop playing. I wanted to keep that kind of drive alive. It’s music with really strong grooves, to get back to what I call the original smooth jazz sound. I think I’ve done that with my albums”.

When it comes to live performances, Keyan plays from the heart and you’ll never hear him play a solo the same way twice. He has been gracing the stage since his very early years, playing at various venues like Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. Keyan has had the honor of sharing the stage with Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, and Junior Cook. These experiences helped make him the performer he is today.

Keyan’s charity of choice is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This charity is close to Keyan’s heart given the terrible toll it exacts on so many women and their families.

Recent Live Performances:

Orozko Lounge/John Ascuagus Nugget Casino Reno, Nevada

Phoenix Flame Basket ball Game Phoenix, Arizona

News Channel 3 TV, Good Morning Arizona SunFire African Art Gallery Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce

9th Annual Golf Tournament

Ocotillo Golf Resort Maxwell’s Lounge

Oakland, California

ABC 7

Chicago, Illinois COMTO ARIZONA Inaugural Scholarship Dinner

for Phoenix Mayor Phoenix, Arizona

The Annex New York, New York

Ashford and Simpson Sugar Bar New York, New York

Columbia Law School Public Interest Foundation Auction

New York, NY

Festivals

Arizona Black Film Festival San Jose Jazz Festival Tucson Jazz Festival Verrado Jazz FestivalInTheMedia

United Center- Chicago Bulls - Performed National Anthem Keyan was featured in the October 2006 ABYSS Jazz Magazine. Keyan was featured as the Indie-Music Artist with Indie-Music.com January 18th, 2007 with 88.1 FM at Fisk University in Nashville, TN April 11th, 2007 with 92.1 FM Smooth Jazz Reno Nevada Louie Jones Show, October 11th, 2007 WURD Radio, Philadelphia, PA , January 18th, 2008 Erika Blue Show, Vallejo, California, August 9th, 2008 October 2009, SayWordTVProductions, Brooklyn, NY, interview (www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC_8uiI8rgM)

Airplay

Terrestrial Radio: 88.1 WFSK FM, 99.5 FM WSUR, KCCK FM, WSIE 88.7FM, KJZS 92.1 FM, WHCR 90.3FM, KUNV 91.5 FM, WEIB 106.3 FM

TV- Cable:

“Your Local on the 8’s with The Weather Channel” at www.weather.com

Internet Radio:

Pandora Internet Radio (pending) New Artist Radio www.newartistradio.com/members/members/396/ Live 365 www.live365.com/stations/cruisenjazz Artist First Switzerland www.artistfirst.com/ Smooth Vibes www.smoothvibes.com/swissgroove.html Atlanta Blue Sky www.atlantabluesky.com(Jazz Colors) Radio Jazz Plus www.radiojazzplus.com/ Radio Zenwaw www.radio.zenwaw.com/ Echo Radio www.echosmoothjazz.com/

Reviews

“Oh my... Excellent! Keyan has such a CRISP horn. Kind of like Grover Washington, but with his own sound. And for

sure, it won’t be long before his fans are able to distinguish style. Definitely, one of the best new smooth jazz artists I have heard this year.” –Rachelle Bivins, Abyss Jazz Magazine

“The title track on the new release The Art of Living makes me feel a little homesick. This song reminds me a lot of my time in New York and riding down the Major Deegan Ex- pressway in the back seat as a child. My dad played mostly soft jazz tunes while driving and I got a kick out of watch- ing the buildings go by while listening to the music. The saxophone is obviously the main instrument in this song, and it has a nice presence. It doesn’t overpower the rest of the instruments and what was played sounds really nice. Overall, a very cool song. I’m going to call my parents now.”

-Jacob Dixon from Pratteln, Switzerland

“The Art of Living” song has excellent bass and the rhythm is very groovy. The drumming is good; it flows along with the song smoothly. The best thing about this track is the saxophone; it’s masterfully played without a flaw

and it hooks you up big time. It has a very romantic feel to it and the melody manages to chill you out. I like the way piano is introduced; It really enhances the mood of this track. BRILLIANCE!” - Morris Plains

Links:

Offical Site: http://www.keyanwilliams.us

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/keyanwilliamsmusic