Kevin Toney

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. In his teens he listened to the music of John Coltrane and Art Tatum. 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.

Discography As leader Special K (Fantasy, 1982) Lovescape (Ichiban, 1993) Pastel Mood (Ichiban, 1995) Extra Sensual Perception (Shanachie, 1999) Strut (Shanachie, 2001) Smooth Jazz Love Songs (Ichiban, 2001) Sweet Spot (Shanachie, 2003) 110 Degrees and Rising (Shanachie, 2005) A Heart of Gratitude a.k.a. A Grateful Heart (K-tone, 2008) New American Suite (K-tone, 2012) Kings of the Evening (K-tone, 2012)

With the Blackbyrds Blackbyrds (Fantasy, 1973) Flying Start (Fantasy, 1974) Cornbread, Earl and Me (Fantasy, 1975) City Life (Fantasy, 1976) Unfinished Business (Fantasy, 1977) Action (Fantasy, 1978) Better Days (Fantasy, 1981) Happy Music (Concord, 2007) Lovebyrds (Concord, 2007)

As sideman or guest Bobbi Humphrey Live: Cookin' with Blue Note at Montreux, Bobbi Humphrey (Blue Note, 1973) Live at Montreux, Alphonse Mouzon (Blue Note, 1973) Live at Montreux, Marlena Shaw (Blue Note, 1973) Collage, Andrew White (Andrew's Music, 1975) Places and Spaces, Donald Byrd (Blue Note, 1976) Caricatures, Donald Byrd (Blue Note, 1977) "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)", Sylvester (Honey/Fantasy, 1979) Scratch My Back, David "Fathead" Newman (Prestige, 1979) Sharon Redd, Sharon Redd (1980) You Can Call It What You Want, Bill Summers and Summers Heat (MCA, 1981) We Call It the Box, Bill Summers and Summers Heat (MCA, 1983) Soul Jazz, Michael Davis (1986) After Midnight, Ray Parker Jr. (Arista, 1987) Piano in the Dark, Brenda Russell (A & M, 1987) Midnite Blue, Phil Upchurch (KICJ [import],1991) Joyful Noise, Chester Thompson (Rhino, 1992) Get the Feeling, Two Tons: Martha Wash/Izora Rhodes Armstead (Fantasy, 1993) Life Changes, Doc Powell (Sampson, 2001) I'm Free, Ray Parker Jr. (Raydio, 2006)

Awards and honors Grammy Award nomination, Best R&B Song, "Walking in Rhythm", with The Blackbyrds, 1976 Grammy Award nomination, Best Instrumental Song, "Unfinished Business", with The Blackbyrds, 1978 Billboard magazine Award No. 1 Pop Instrumental Group, with The Blackbyrds, 1976 NAACP Image Award, Best Jazz Group, with The Blackbyrds, 1977 Keys to the City Award – Detroit, New Orleans, Los Angeles