Lenny Keys

When did you first get into music?

Started classical education on piano at 6 years old. First, (high school pop) band at 15. After immigrating to the USA, I joined a pop band in New York. I played in clubs, a lot of international pop/rock/jazz/folk... music. It was great schooling.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

My grandma was an opera singer. She insisted on my music education. During my teens, (back in Ukraine) I discovered.....Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd.... - classics which sparked my love for THAT SOUND. Of course, later on, different music styles came along and widened my pallet.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

Music is just like any other skill, the more you practice and perform the better you get. And by studying and adapting new styles, instruments and technologies...one gets better and better. Same goes for writing and composing.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

Chris Penn just showed up once at our gig and wanted to sit-in. I was surprised how good of a blues singer he was. Prince with his girlfriend and another couple came in for a bite while in Honolulu. Gave us a thumb up.

At a Russian club (NY) where I was gigging for a while, Neil Armstrong just showed up with a friend for dinner. A shy quiet man.

While playing in a fine dining restaurant in Honolulu, M. Baryshnikov stopped by after a performance. We chatted a bit. A very nice guy. He came in every night for a week after theater, to relax.

Narada Michael Walden came in to listen to our girl singer. “Almost” produced her :)

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Definitely joy and passion. When everything is grooving tight and sounds great, or an arrangement is happening just right....it’s like an orgasm. (made you smile)

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

My own (unique) taste which is based on my own experience, of course.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Adding JAZZ to my pallet. Knowing chords and playing fast scales/lines is not music. Turning that into music is a challenge. There’s no end to it. Still practicing.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I believe it’s different for everyone. I don’t think I suffered. More like evolved.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Good and bad.

Good: you can get new fans and exposure much easier than before.

Bad: not everyone who WANTS to be a musician - should.

https://www.reverbnation.com/lennykeys