Keith Saunders -- Pianist

Keith spent his formative years in Los Angeles where he studied with Charlie Shoemake and later, with Horace Silver. Keith worked extensively in L.A. with such well known artists as Eddie Harris, Roy McCurdy, and Bill Watrous, as well as recording with Dick Berk's Adoption Agency, for which he was the arranger.

In 1984 Keith moved to New York City where he worked and/or recorded with a wide variety of musicians, including Richie Cole, Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama, , Hank Crawford, and . His latest CD is entitled Lost In Queens and is available on the TCB label.

In 1991, Keith became the leader of The HardBop Quintet, which had begun as a cooperative unit. As such, he has written and arranged music -- recorded by The HBQ -- for numerous television spots including promotions for VH1, ESPN, and Filene's Basement Department Stores. Keith is also the Musical Director for Manhattan Tap, the nationally acclaimed tap dance company. In addition to his recordings with The HBQ, Keith can be heard leading his trio on the TCB release, Lost in Queens . He can also be heard on Jerry Weldon's live-recorded Midtown Blues (Amosaya), Smith Dobson's Soul of Wood , and Andrew Beals' Gravy Train.

In 2010 Keith moved to the Bay Area where he has worked with Akira Tana, Donald Bailey, Frank Tusa, Warren Gayle, Jeremy Pelt, Pete Yellin, and Vince Lateano. Since moving to California Keith has appeared at Yoshi's, The , SF Jazz, Club Deluxe, Bird and Beckett, Comstock Saloon, Piedmont Piano, and Cafe Stritch to name a few venues. Keith can heard every Tuesday at Club Deluxe and every Wednesday and Sunday playing solo piano at Noir Lounge in Hayes Valley.

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