Keith Loftis Quartet - Simply, Loftis (2011)

ABOUT KEITH LOFTIS:

Keith Loftis has been described as one of the most lyrical & compelling jazz saxophonists of today. Born in Dallas, Texas, Loftis began his study of jazz and classical music as a child. He graduated from the nationally recognized Booker T. Washington High School of the Visual and Performing Arts with the late Roy Hargrove, his longtime musical compatriot and friend. Loftis then received his B.A. in music from the New School for Social Research in NYC, and eventually a Graduate degree in composition/Film Scoring from New York University.

Over the course of his eclectic career, Keith has performed with several jazz legends such as Benny Carter, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Frank Foster, Alvin Batiste, Clark Terry, Bobby Shew, Joe Williams and Ray Charles to name a few.

Keith has traveled extensively around the globe performing regularly throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and parts of the Middle East with legendary South African Jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim; master drummer Michael Carvin; the Roy Hargrove Big Band and the Frank Foster Loud Minority Big Band. He has also performed with music icons Mary J. Blige and Usher. For 13 years, Loftis performed regularly at New York’s renowned Carlyle Hotel for 13 years with the late pianist and singer Chris Gillespie.

In addition to his work in jazz, Loftis has continued to broaden his film-scoring portfolio. He has performed music in the motion picture “Three Can Play That Game” starring Vivica A. Fox, and in the independent film, “Black Out” starring Jeff Wright and Melvin Van Peebles.

Currently, Loftis works with vocalist and educator Dr. Ruth Naomi Floyd in the Ruth Naomi Floyd Presents: The Frederick Douglass Jazz Works series. He is also a main fixture in the 3x Grammy nominated husband and wife duo The Baylor Project featuring Jean & Marcus Baylor and a touring member of 4x Grammy award winning bassist Christian McBride’s A Christian McBride Situation and The Christian McBride Big Band.

With Original State, Loftis has released four albums as a leader, including The Music of Keith Loftis in 2001, Back To Basics, a rare recording with his brother, vocalist Terry Loftis from 2008, and Simply Loftis, his 2011 full-length album featuring Roy Hargrove and produced by master drummer Michael Carvin. He has appeared on a number of acclaimed recent releases including Robin McKelle’s Alterations, Kenyatta Beasley’s The Frank Foster Songbook, Aaron Whitby’s Cousin From Another Planet, and the multi-Grammy nominated debut album from the Baylor Project, The Journey. He also plays a prominent role on Generations, the new recording from The Baylor Project due out this summer.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Keith Loftis Quartet - My Shining Hour (5:41)
1.02 - Keith Loftis Quartet - I Hate When My Check Ain't Right (2:39)
1.03 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Giving Rise To Doubt (7:19)
1.04 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Chelsea Bridge (9:21)
1.05 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Eugene's Swing (5:10)
1.06 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Kathy's Quest (6:11)
1.07 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Byblos Bass Intro (1:16)
1.08 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Byblos, Lebanon (10:02)
1.09 - Keith Loftis Quartet - I Thought You Knew (5:58)
1.10 - Keith Loftis Quartet - Kathy's Quest Part II (7:28)