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The number three is often referred to as a divine and mystical number. Pythagoras called it the ‘perfect’ number. Chart-topping Contemporary Jazz pianists Bob Baldwin, Gail Jhonson and Phil Davis (The 3 Keys), harness the wisdom of three on their harmonious and splendid piano expedition, “We 3 Keys”.
The recording celebrates the magic of keyboards and is inspired by some of the trio’s keyboard/piano influences including George Duke, Bernard Wright, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Eliane Elias and Bernie Worrell, among others. There is an eclectic mix of keyboard sounds including Moog synths, pianos, the Fender Rhodes, organ, keyboard bass, and other various synthesizers.
At the core of We 3 Keys is the deep respect and mutual admiration that Baldwin, Jhonson and Davis have for one another. Jhonson explains how the anticipated project evolved. “Phil and I were performing with Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown in GA, and we met up with Bob Baldwin backstage. Naturally, I wanted a photo of the three of us together since it is rare for keyboard players to get the chance to hang out. We were joking and laughing and as we took the shot I said, ‘we should be a group!’” Baldwin adds, “The piano like all instruments is such a personal instrument. It was cool and refreshing to see a different spin on the same instrument from all our different perspectives. This project is really to showcase the piano, which is the backbone for Contemporary and Smooth Jazz.”
The sumptuous twelve-track We 3 Keys showcases mostly originals while illuminating each of the pianist’s compositional prowess and virtuosity. There are tributes to pianists George Duke and Bernard Wright, as well as a gorgeous reworking of the Aldir Blanc, Ivan Lins and Vitor Martins composition “Camaleão,” previously recorded by the likes of the aforementioned Lins, Grover Washington Jr., and Dionne Warwick.
“It was a challenge to unite the complete cosmos of notes, tonal effects and rhythms…it wasn’t long before we found out each other’s favorite piano/keyboard stations”
Phil Davis hopes the project will touch their fans. One might wonder how you even begin to fuse three distinct voices and personalities on the same instrument. “It was a challenge to unite the complete cosmos of notes, tonal effects and rhythms…it wasn’t long before we found out each other’s favorite piano/keyboard stations,” recalls Gail. Phil adds, “On most of the project, you will hear one of us on piano, another on Rhodes, one on electric synth sounds and sometimes we added a little organ in as well.”
The glue in The 3 Keys is the openness that each musician had to let the album unfold organically. “Working with Phil and Gail was a great experience, and in the process, we all learned something about ourselves and each other,” shares Bob Baldwin.
NOTE: The clips below are low-res MP3 samples.
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TRACK LISTING
That Beat (Gail Jhonson / Bob Baldwin)
Piano Bar (Andrew Ford / Gail Jhonson) *
Into the New (Phil Davis)
Dreaming About A Better Place (Phil Davis)
Work it Out (Gail Jhonson / Bob Baldwin) ++
Gimme the Keys (Bob Baldwin)
That Beat (interlude) (Gail Jhonson / Bob Baldwin)
Rhythm Speak (Gail Jhonson) +
Camaleao (Aldir Blanc / Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins)
Summerdance (Juston Young / Gail Jhonson) **
Something Nice (Gail Jhonson / Bob Baldwin)
That Beat (radio edit) (Gail Jhonson / Bob Baldwin)
MUSICIANS
Bob Baldwin - Rhodes, Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Drums
Gail Jhonson - Piano, Percussion, Drums, Vocals, Keyboards, Bass Synth
Phil Davis - SY77 Wind Synth, Piano, Percussion, Drums, Keyboards
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Tamina Khyrah-Joi Johnson – Vocals
Andrew Ford – Bass *
Justin Young – Keyboards, Drum Programming, Bass Synth **
Jacori “Tay” Robinson – Drums +
Dennis Johnson – NY Record Scratches ++
PRODUCED BY
Bob Baldwin, Gail Jhonson and Phil Davis
MIXED BY
Dave Darlington, Phil Davis, and Bob Baldwin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Danny Weiss
ENGINEERS
Phil Davis at 2nd Bedroom Studios, Atlanta, GA *
Gail Jhonson at Philly the Kid Music Studios, Los Angeles, CA *
Bob Baldwin at Funky Onion Studios, Smyrna, GA *
Dennis Johnson at Uppa Room Studios, Marietta, GA *
Justin Young, Las Vegas
Photography: Dee’s Eyes Photography, De’Andrea “Dee” Freeman, Lithonia, GA
Bob Baldwin appears courtesy of City Sketches Records
Released on the Shanachie Entertainment label.
BOB BALDWIN
Bob Baldwin is an American Pianist/Composer/Arranger/Radio Host/Inventor. The Mt. Vernon, NY native has recorded on six of the seven inhabitable continents, and while Antarctica is not on his recording bucket list, his short international list, including Dubai, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, UK, Canada, is quite impressive. "Whether it's a massive festival crowd of 30,000 or an intimate restaurant audience of less than 60, I refuse to rob my audience of great music, top-notch effort and a good personal experience", says Baldwin.
He’s been coined by industry peers as the “Ray Charles of Contemporary Jazz”, having owned all but seven of his 34 solo recordings. He claims that ownership has helped to sustain him throughout the current pandemic era.
His Radio program, NewUrbanJazz, established in 2008, celebrated its’ 700th consecutive weekly radio program on February 28, 2022.
GAIL JHONSON
Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Gail is a Berklee College of Music alumni and in 2020, she received a master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in conjunction with Berklee College of Music, in Music Business.
As a musician she has worked with some of the top artists in the business, like Brenda Russell, Jermaine Jackson, Pink, Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Jeff Lorber, Bobby Womack and Jonathan Butler. And this is just the short list!
Gail has 6 CD’s penned and received a nod in the 51st Grammys. She has earned several additional awards including Best Composer/Piano from Black Women in Jazz. Her all-female jazz ensemble, Jazz in Pink celebrated their 10-year milestone in October 2019 and continues to wow jazz fans every time they take the stage! Gail is a member of NARAS and volunteers at Hands4Hope, a free after school program. She is also nationally recognized as musical director for guitarist, Norman Brown.
In 2019, Gail formed Jazz in Pink.org, a 501c3 non-profit organization; “Women Making Music a Choice” the theme that Jazz in Pink has adopted to empower, enrich, inform and inspire women and girls.
PHIL DAVIS
The son of a piano and trumpet player, Phil Davis has built his own legacy as a highly-demanded session player and bandleader. In addition to performing with the Phil Davis Quartet and multi-genre group, The Chronicle, Davis has performed with Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, George Duke, Rachelle Farrell, Gerald Albright, Boney James and Najee.
An imaginative composer, Davis wrote the title track of Boney James' 1999 album, Body Language, two tunes on Alex Bugnon's 2000 album, As Promised and two pieces on the late George Howard's 1998 outing, Midnight Mood, which he produced. Davis produced and played on three tracks on Al Jarreau's 2000 album, Tomorrow Today.
Initially taught to play the piano and trumpet by his father, Davis added the French horn in high school. Continuing his studies at Clark-Atlantic University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in music education, he performed with the school's jazz orchestra at the Montreaux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
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