- Carlos McKinney
Carlos McKinney (b. Jan. 10, 1973) is an American
jazz pianist, composer, percussionist, and harpist.McKinney was born into an eminent
Detroit jazz family; he is anephew to pianist Harold McKinney, bassist Ray McKinney, trombonist Bernard McKinney (Kiane Zawadi), and drummers Earl McKinney and Walter Harris. He is a cousin to drummer Ali Jackson and trumpeter Khalil Jackson. His mother, Carolyn McKinney, is a singer, and sister Shani McKinney is a pianist. He began studying piano at age four with uncle Harold; his first professional appearances were with theR&B group Identity Band when he was 12. He studied classical music at the Center for Creative Studies from 1983 to 1991. He also studied harp underPatricia Terry-Ross , of theDetroit Symphony Orchestra . After studying with Harold and Ray McKinney andMarcus Belgrave , he played with theLegacy Quintet (1989-93) and then attendedThe New School inNew York City (1991-95). He played withWinard Harper (1992-93),Antonio Hart (1992-95),Buster Williams (1993),Wallace Roney (1994-96),Sonny Rollins ,Elvin Jones ,Steve Turre ,Branford Marsalis ,Wynton Marsalis ,Roy Hargrove ,Kenny Garrett andCharnet Moffett . He has played jazz festivals in Europe (from 1992),Senegal (1994),Iceland (1995), andTurkey (1997). His first disc as a bandleader was 2000's "Up-Front", on Sirocco Jazz.McKinney has also worked as an arranger and producer. He was assistant composer to
James Mtume for the TV show "New York Undercover " from 1995. He then received a contract fromDef Jam , where he worked with musicians such asNeko Case ,Montell Jordan ,Kandace Love ,Babyface , andRedman .References
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Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler, "The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz". Oxford, 1999, p. 453.
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