American jazz pianist and composer (1953–2024)
Kevin Kraig Toney (April 23, 1953 – March 18, 2024) was an American jazz pianist and composer who was a member of The Blackbyrds.
Biography
A native of Detroit, he graduated from Cass Technical High School.[1] In his teens he listened to the music of John Coltrane and Art Tatum.[2] He attended Howard University where Donald Byrd, head of the jazz studies department, assembled a group of students which became the fusion band the Blackbyrds, led by Toney.[1] The band played with Chick Corea, The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, and Grover Washington Jr.[2] Seven albums by the band were released. Three were certified gold. The band's hits included "Rock Creek Park" and "Unfinished Business", both written by Toney. The latter received a Grammy Award nomination.[1]
Toney recorded several albums as a solo musician. His album Strut was selected as "official music" by the Winter Olympic Committee of 2002.[1] He performed at the Playboy Jazz Festival and at festivals in Denver, Long Beach, and Pasadena. He has worked as an arranger and conductor with , Patti Austin, Babyface, Gloria Gaynor, Edwin Hawkins, James Ingram, Enrique Iglesias, Michael McDonald, Brian McKnight, Freda Payne, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Marilyn McCoo, and Billy Davis Jr.[1] In the same roles he worked in theater for Ain't Misbehavin' , Five Guys Named Moe, Harlem Suite, The Magic of Motown, Sophisticated Ladies, and Wild Women Blues. He wrote the music for the film Kings of the Evening.[1]
His first solo piano album, A Grateful Heart, was released in 2012. In 2014, he produced the first album by his daughter, Dominique Toney.[1] Other musicians he has worked with include Kenny Burrell, Shirley Caesar, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Whitney Houston, Nolan Shaheed, Hubert Laws, David "Fathead" Newman, James Newton, Ray Parker Jr., Sonny Rollins, Frank Sinatra, Sonny Stitt, Shania Twain, Gerald Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and Bobby Womack.[1]
Toney died from cancer on March 18, 2024, at the age of 70.[3]
