First things first, I’m sending a big birthday shout-out to my daughter, Dominique. She turns 19 on June 25th and has just completed her first year as a music theater major at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts!

Right now I’m completing a solo piano album that I’ve been working on since last December. I’m working on song titles and sequencing. This project features music that is spiritual, reflective, spacious and speaks to the soul. Keep checking kevintoney.com for the official release date!

On May 18th, I made a stop in Denver to perform a benefit concert for Elijah’s Rainbow. The event was a huge success and raised some much needed funds for this children’s medical help organization. Attending the show were new Denver residents Gerald and Glynis Albright. The show’s MC was popular radio personality Becky Taylor from Smooth Jazz 104.3. I also stopped by the radio station for an on air interview with morning host Kenny Cortes. A special thanks goes out to bassist Vernon Barbary, his wife and the wonderful musicians who performed with me.

On May 21st, I performed on the Hyatt Newporter Jazz Festival in Newport Beach, California. Thanks to everyone who attended. We loved seeing you and fed off of your energy. We had lots of people asking about the individual songs we played so here’s the set-list:

Ground Level Up (from 110 Degrees And Rising)
Kings (from Lovescape)
Blackbyrds Medley (including Walking In Rhythm, Soft And Easy, Happy Music)
Hey Young World (from Def Jazz)
110 Degrees And Rising (from 110 Degrees And Rising)

All of these songs are available on albums that you can purchase in the marketplace links in the sidebar.

It was great meeting all the wonderful folks who stopped by the autograph tent. If you took pictures at the event, we’d love to see them. You can email them to us here.

June also finds me in full gear working on arrangements for the upcoming “The Magic of Motown Show” happening this August in Los Angeles. My friend and regular band-mate, Saxophonist Andre Delano has a new single on radio titled “Why Not“ that I’m featured on. Listen for it on your local stations and request it by name. It’s a hot song and, with your help, should be a huge hit. Special shout-out to the show Watercolors on XM Satellite Radio. They’ve been playing selections from my entire catalog lately and I greatly appreciate it. Tune in to XM 71 to catch some fresh contemporary jazz.

I’m closing this month’s update by giving a salute to two great keyboard artists who recently passed away. Icon Billy Preston passed on June 5th. He was one of my early keyboard heroes with the hits Outta Space, Will It Go Around In Circles and Space Race. Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz also passed this month. He was a tremendous and talented musician and will be greatly missed by the jazz community. May God bless Billy’s and Hilton’s families.

Peace and Blessings,

KT